Ukrainians housed by the British as part of the Homes for Ukraine program face a “cliff point” of support that collapses when their placements end, and could be blocked for private rental, they have warned. refugee organizations.
They say strict controls on potential tenants requiring proof of income and other documentation could be impossible for many refugees.
Opora, a network that helps Ukrainians who have moved to the UK, said they had already contacted families who were freezing outside the private rental market after failing benchmark checks.
Some have been asked for evidence of a work or tax history from years ago, even though they have only moved here since Putin’s invasion. Even those with stable jobs in the UK and ample savings that have never been indebted have found themselves isolated.
Dmytro Chapovsky, a software engineer from Lviv, western Ukraine, and his wife, Polina, a psychotherapist, came to Britain in April as part of the Homes for Ukraine program and have stayed with a partner in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Chapovsky, 33, and his host, Janet Duchesne, contacted 12 agencies in the Southeast, but “they were told blankly, leaving agents who had no chance of being allowed to enter the country,” he said. Duchesne.
Eventually, a Leighton Buzzard agency agreed to leave the couple a three-bedroom home, but despite meeting the salary requirements, a third-party reference company rejected them. Although he had seven years of bank statements proving he had never been in debt, he says he was told he had to provide proof of earnings and tax history in the UK, or 12 months rent in advance.
Jan Dchaesne and Stephen Knowlden are currently hosting Dmytro and Polina. Photography: Fabio De Paola / The Observer
In another case, a Ukrainian family contacted all the agents they found in south-east London and Kent. Some of the agencies refused to proceed because the family had universal credit, saying homeowners insurance would not allow occupants to benefit, while others applied for a guarantee that would earn more than £ 40,000, which they did not have. .
Although so far only a small number of refugees have been affected, thousands of people could be affected by the obstacles in the coming months as the placements organized through the Homes for Ukraine program end. Sponsors had to take in refugees for a minimum of six months. While locations may continue, many will.
Stanislav Beneš of the Opora network urged the government to act now to avoid problems, asking for guidance and incentives for landlords and a special guarantee scheme to make it easier for Ukrainians to rent.
Without action, people fleeing the war are facing homelessness, he said. “It will overload existing resources that are already exaggerated, which means more and more people will start falling into the cracks.”
Matt Downie, executive director of Crisis, said it was “completely unacceptable” for Ukrainian refugees to have trouble renting privately and called on the government to “explore expanding access to private rental leasing plans.” “, which would provide help with deposits or negotiating with owners.
“We need to see more understanding and compassion for the fact that many Ukrainians will not be able to repay exorbitant deposits or be able to provide payroll from the UK if their job is in their home country,” he said.
Sophie Delamothe, director of policy and public affairs for Generation Rent, a campaign group, said: “There is so much data you need to provide to people who have recently come to this country that refugees may not have access to.”
The National Association of Residential Homeowners said some homeowners who were willing to support Ukrainian refugees had “encountered barriers” beyond their control, including “asking permission from mortgage providers and insurers.”
This comes when official figures reveal that hundreds of Ukrainian families have been left homeless in England after arriving with visas designed to secure them a place to live. Since the end of February, at least 480 Ukrainian families with children and 180 single adults have applied for help from town halls for the homeless, The Guardian reported last week.
The cost of rent has risen in recent months. Rents paid by tenants in the UK rose 2.7% in the 12 months to April, according to figures from the National Statistics Office, but in some parts of London and other major cities year-on-year increase reaches 22%.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Housing and Communities said: “More than 77,200 Ukrainians have come to the UK since Putin’s invasion, and the vast majority stay with sponsors or relatives. We are closely monitoring this situation and will work hard. the government and the landlords to ensure that the Ukrainians receive the help they need. “