Mayor of London sets out housing plan for Afghan refugees

Plans to help councils and housing associations across the capital support the arrival of Afghan refugees have been announced by the Mayor of London.

The Mayor is expanding his Right to Buy-back fund, which allows councils to buy back former council homes from the private sector, to help councils buy homes that can be used to resettle families arriving from Afghanistan, with increased funding announced for the purchase of family-sized homes.

Housing associations are also being encouraged to apply for funding for suitable homes that can be delivered at pace.

The Mayor welcomed the government’s commitment to resettle up to 20,000 Afghan refugees, but is calling on ministers to give London boroughs the support they need to provide accommodation, healthcare and education for refugees.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: ‘It has been devastating to watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan and I’m determined to do everything in my power to support those escaping the country. London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need and by working together we can help these refugees find a welcoming home in our city.

‘That’s why I’m inviting borough councils to use my Right to Buy-back fund to acquire homes for refugees, as well as Londoners in housing need, and am urging housing associations to bid for funding to secure homes for these families. I will continue to call on Ministers to provide the further support needed to help them secure their long-term future in our city.’

Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, director of Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, added: ‘With the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan many Afghan refugees will be desperately looking for a safe place to call home. I am proud that the Mayor of London and London councils are leading the way in welcoming Afghan refugees and taking active steps to help accommodate them when they arrive and seek to build new lives in the city.’

In related news, Afghans coming to the UK via the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme will benefit from an extra £5m investment for local councils to provide housing support.

Photo by Fred Moon