Issue details
Refugee Services Contracts
Herefordshire is recognised for its commitment
to migration programmes, in late 2020 a cabinet decision was taken
to resettle at least 125 refugees by 2025. As part of this overall
commitment a decision was made to resettle 85 refugees in the
period December 2021 to June 2022.
Since December 2021 a total of 59 Afghan refugees have been
resettled in Herefordshire. Resettlement of a further 26 refugees
is required to meet the commitment made by the council.
Delays in resettlement activity have been seen across England, this
is due to a number of factors predominately size of property
required and refusals of offers of accommodation.
Local authorities across England are now being asked to look for
properties that can accommodate single people/couples and
properties suitable for larger families (4 or more bedrooms) or
properties in very close proximity to each other that could
accommodate large extended multi-generational families. Properties
of this size and nature have been very hard to secure locally
impacting on our ability to arrange 85 arrivals by the original
commitment deadline. Work with colleagues is ongoing to identify
and secure further accommodation through our network of registered
housing providers.
Due to extensive work completed with MOD and strategic migration
colleagues Herefordshire has seen limited instances of refusals of
accommodation however when refusals do happen this creates delays
to arrivals. Work has being undertaken by the Government to address
the high level number of refusals being seen in the UK. This work
has resulted in an enhanced matching process being implemented to
build on work already begun to improve the rate at which families
accept offers of accommodation, it is anticipated this new process
will limit the number of refusals and reduce delays of people
resettling locally.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 11/08/2022
Decision due: 22 July 2022 by Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing
Contact: Hilary Hall, Corporate Director Community Wellbeing Email: Hilary.Hall@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Decisions
- 11/08/2022 - Refugee Services Contracts