MULTIPLE Ukrainian refugees were homeless or at risk of homelessness in South Lakeland, new figures show.

February 24 marks a year since Russia invaded Ukraine – displacing millions of people living in the country.

The UK has taken in more than 160,000 Ukrainians fleeing the conflict – but many now face homelessness as arrangements break down.

Figures from the Home Office show three households had received homeless duties in South Lakeland as of January 27.

A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: “South Lakeland residents have shown their compassion towards the people of Ukraine by offering homes to 86 households fleeing the country since it was invaded in February 2022.

“Some 205 guests from Ukraine have been welcomed to the district so far through the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which matches Ukrainian refugees with sponsors offering a spare room or a home for at least six months.

“We understand there are circumstances where not everyone can continue to offer accommodation and guests might want to move on and find their own place to stay. Three of the 86 households welcomed to South Lakeland so far have approached SLDC to tell us they may become homeless within 56 days. Like all local councils, we have a duty to work with anyone in this circumstance to prevent them becoming homeless.

“Two of these three households made alternative arrangements and the third household has also found alternative accommodation with support from our team. At no point did any of the three households become homeless in South Lakeland.

“Staff at SLDC work very closely with Cumbria County Council’s Refugee and Resettlement Team, whose Housing and Rematching Officer works specifically with people from Ukraine. Our staff have also attended several drop-in sessions to help our Ukrainian guests with housing advice and guidance. Together with local organisations, community groups and volunteers, we are all working together to meet the needs of our hosts and especially our guests, for whom a safe and happy home is vital in this time of great need.”

Across England just under 4,300 Ukrainian households had presented as homeless as of January – an increase of 44 per cent from nearly 3,000 in November.

Duties are provided by the local council when a person or family is judged to be at risk of homelessness, or has already lost their home.

Refugees from the war have been invited to stay in the UK under the Ukrainian Sponsorship and Family schemes.

The former sets up refugees with hosts in the UK for an initial six months, who receive support from their local council and a stipend of £350.

In December, the Government raised these payments to £500 for those with guests who have been in the UK for longer than a year.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council charity, said it was heartening to see so many people open their doors to people fleeing the conflict, but added it was "worrying" refugees are facing homelessness.

He said: “These are people who have endured unimaginable trauma fleeing war in their homeland, and they must have a place to call home to help them heal and rebuild their lives.

“It’s vital that they are now supported to find their own homes in our local communities.”

Separate figures from the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme show 336 visas had been granted for refugees to stay with sponsors in South Lakeland as of February 14 – 275 of which had arrived in the country.

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A spokesperson for the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England, said they need "urgent solutions" to the housing needs of refugees.

They said: “We have been raising concerns with Government on the growing number of Ukrainians presenting as homeless to councils, and in particular the significant rise in those who arrived through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “Where a sponsorship breaks down, councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their head.

"We have provided them with extensive funding including an addition £150 million to support Ukrainian guests to move into their own homes, as well as £500 million to acquire housing for those fleeing conflict.”

“All Ukrainian arrivals can work or study and access benefits from day one,” they added.