Our response
Elmbridge Borough Council's response is twofold:
- The first based on the immediate housing needs of our guests
We are working with partner agencies, including Elmbridge CAN, to minimise the likelihood of homelessness.
Elmbridge CAN have a small pool of reserve sponsors to help house our Ukrainian guests.
Additionally, we are helping families into the private-rented accommodation where this is a suitable option for them, as well as reaching out to housing providers across Elmbridge to ask for their help too. - The second based on advocating for our guests with government
We are writing to Ministers to express our concerns and make clear the difficulties that this is posing for the families, hosts and local authorities.
We will also push for changes to the scheme to help incentivise sponsors to continue to host and to properly resource move-on accommodation where placements can’t continue.
We want to avoid a situation where hosting arrangements end without suitable alternative housing in place for the guests and will do all we can to avoid that situation.