Wishart welcomes P&K figures one year on from launch of Homes For Ukraine scheme

Published date : 14 March, 2023

News Release from Pete Wishart MP

Attn: News Desk For immediate release 14 March 2023

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has welcomed figures from the British Red Cross on Ukrainians who have settled in Perth and Kinross through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme. His comments come as the UK approaches the one year anniversary of the launch of the HFU scheme, which went live on 18 March 2022. Recent figures from the British Red Cross showed that Perth and Kinross has the highest number per capita of Ukrainians settled through the schemes out of all local authorities in Scotland, and third highest by number.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“One year on from the launch of the HFU scheme, I am delighted, but unsurprised, by recent British Red Cross figures which found Perth and Kinross to have the highest number per capita of Ukrainians settled through the scheme out of all local authorities in Scotland.

“My office has been working flat out since the war began to assist constituents who have sponsored displaced Ukrainians with getting them over to the UK. Since the very start, I have been astounded by the generosity of the people of Perthshire who have gone above and beyond to welcome the people of Ukraine with open arms, which I am certain will continue for as long as they wish to stay.

“Perth & Kinross also have the least amount of Ukrainian refugees in temporary accommodation in Scotland. This a testament to the council's outstanding work on this matter, which has set an example of what is possible when the right strategy is adopted, and which other local authorities will now be looking to replicate.”

Notes:

Case Study – Perth and Kinross - Local authorities supporting Ukrainians to secure accommodation options

As of 17 January 2023, 314 people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine had arrived in Perth and Kinross through Homes for Ukraine and the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme. This is the third highest of local authorities in Scotland by number and the highest number per capita at 207 per 100k population.
The council has actively engaged with the private rented sector for over 10 years and has an in-house letting agency which runs a chargeable service. As a result, the agency is well connected to council services such as welfare rights, environment services, and council tax. The council chose to run this service separately from social housing as it found this did not work well in practice.
The council was able to expand this service to accommodate Ukrainians and did not need to build new relationships with local landlords. Instead, they produced a package for landlords to incentivise them to rent to Ukrainians.
Relying on this existing system surely contributed to Perth and Kinross having the lowest number of households in temporary accommodation per 100,000 population as of March 2022.
The council also took a proactive approach in supporting guests and hosts under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, by having regular conversations with guests and hosts about long-term accommodation options, believing that making both parties aware of alternative options can prevent relationship breakdown between hosts and guests. The council has been able to take this approach due to a well-developed housing first model.

See Mr Wishart’s parliamentary contribution, here: https://youtu.be/n6AeF5KIcLs

For more information, please contact Mr Wishart’s office on 01738 639 598 or contact me at [email protected]

ENDS

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