MANY Ukrainians are nearing the end of their first six months in the UK staying with host families, and are now looking for a new home – but this has proven to be difficult.
For those who came to North Yorkshire, existing problems such as the overcrowded housing market and long waits for social housing, has made moving on from host families a tall order.
Andy Dunlop and his wife Barbara hosted a Ukrainian family since May 8 at their home in Levisham.
READ MORE: Help for Ukrainian refugees and host families in Ryedale
Andy, a retired firefighter, said hosting the family was ‘very beneficial,’ and said he was glad to have ‘given the family a chance to escape.’
The family, a 42-year-old mother and her two children, aged seven and 12, travelled to Levisham after fleeing from their 19th story apartment in Kyiv to the Polish border.
They missed their initial flight to the UK, before catching the next and landing at Stansted where they were taken to their new home in Ryedale – taking with them two suitcases and backpack.
Andy, said the family settled in nicely, with the children joining local schools and their mother finding part-time employment at a food packaging firm.
He spoke of how life in the countryside came as a big change for them.
“The children had never seen nettles before,” he said.
The family chat regularly to their father/husband, who stayed in Ukraine to fight.
“He’s doing what he has to do, which is difficult,” said Andy.
Andy said the plan was always for the family to move on after the initial six months, so wanted to get ahead of other hosts with the same idea.
“We were desperate to get them into their own home before the rush started,” he explained.
“It’s been a joy to have them, but the problem is now where do you go from here?”
Moving on from host families
At this point the family had only been in the country for five months, so were unable to join the list for social housing – you must have lived in the area for six months before eligible.
Andy, however, explained that even if the family were eligible for social housing, they would have had to join a lengthy wait to find a home.
Therefore, the family decided to rent a property - but this was also complicated.
As the woman had only been employed for five months, she was still on a six-month probation period.
On top of her part-time work, she claims universal credit at £980 a month.
Andy said, given her childcare arrangements, full-time employment would not be possible.
“It’s going to be tight,” he said.
Given this financial situation, letting agencies asked for a guarantor.
Providing one was difficult as those close to the family are still in Ukraine.
Andy said host families could step in as a guarantor, but it’s a ‘big risk to take.’
Eventually, he found the family a home in Pickering with a private landlord.
Andy said the landlord took compassion on the situation and ‘bent the rules,’ allowing the family to rent the property without a guarantor.
“Private landlords can look at it with a compassionate mind,” Andy added.
“We have been fortunate to get a home.”
Andy expressed his concern for Ukrainians looking for a new home after leaving their host family.
“There needs to be a follow up process,” he said.
“While (North Yorkshire) County Council and (Ryedale) District Council have been as helpful as they can be, they are stuck by the housing crisis.”
He now fears that some refugees may have to turn to the streets.
“There are risks of a number of families going homeless,” Andy said.
“The government hasn’t thought this through.”
North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities, Neil Irving, said: “As of this month, we have seen 1,300 applications from Ukrainian refugees in North Yorkshire, with 1,010 actual arrivals. Ryedale has seen 125 applications, with 90 arrivals.”
On the topic of Ukrainian refugees going homeless, Mr Irving said this has not been the case in the district.
“In Ryedale, there have been two rematches with hosts and two families have moved to private rental,” he said.
“There is one case pending for another family from Ukraine who are currently looking for a re-match, but to date no families have had to be placed in homeless accommodation.”
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “Having been involved in helping a number of Ukrainian families relocate to the UK and housing one of these personally, I am very keen to make sure that suitable accommodation is made available for anyone in need.
“The Government is working with councils to ensure housing is available to Ukrainian guests whose sponsorships will come to an end after six months.
“A re-matching service is being introduced to enable Ukrainians to move from one sponsorship to another.
“If anyone in my constituency is facing difficulties, I would urge them to contact the local authority and my office.”
You can find more information on the help available to Ukranian refugees and host famililes here.
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