Mendip and Somerset have marked a year since the Russian illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine last February- see here and here.

Generous local residents have been hosting refugee families under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, since Russia’s invasion precipitated the largest refugee crisis since the second World War. Some 1417 Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed to Somerset, with over 250 going on to live independently in the UK.

As some of these arrangements come to an end, homes are now needed for moving refugees into private accommodation. If you’re a landlord, you could receive a one-off payment of up to £4000 by providing a home for a Ukrainian family – find out more here: Cash incentives for landlords who help house Ukrainian refugees.

Any private landlords who have vacant, or soon-to-be vacant, properties for rent, are encouraged to contact housing.admin@mendip.gov.uk or phone 0300 303 8588.

Please see www.somerset.gov.uk/Ukraine about support currently available, and here for the Frome refugee support hub.

Last week I attended the Ukrainian cultural awareness session in Frome library, which was an informative and very moving experience. I have spoken to Town council, SCC’s resettlement officers and Mendip’s housing officers about what more we can do to help, including the potential to offer rent guarantees.

The war and the killing need to stop, we must support Ukraine and Ukrainians, and Russia must end the ward and leave Ukraine. Find out how you can stand with Ukraine here: We stand with Ukraine.

SCC’s next Executive meeting on 15^th March will consider agreeing to allow District Council officers to enter into agreements with the Government and use Government funding to obtain and refurbish 31 properties to deliver additional housing in support of the Ukrainian and Afghan refugee resettlement schemes, for those unable to secure their own accommodation – see item 7 reports here: https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=433&MId=1738&Ver=4.

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