Data suggests multiple Ukrainian refugee households in Oldham have faced homelessness but there are fears more may be put at risk as hosts face mounting pressure amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March this year, refugees from the war have come to stay with families in the UK under Ukrainian Sponsorship and Family Schemes.
The sponsorship scheme places refugees with suitable hosts in the UK for six months, during which British households receive support from their local council and a stipend of £350 per month.
But figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) state three refugee households were made homeless or were put at risk of homelessness in Oldham as of September 23.
Nationally, the number of refugee households at risk of homelessness surged 22 per cent, from 1,565 to 1,915.
Of those, 1,335 households – 70 per cent – had dependent children.
The figures also show that across the country, homelessness has been avoided in 665 of these cases, up from 550 the month before.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian refugees continue to come to Oldham with 81 out of 99 approved new arrivals coming into the borough by October 4 under the Sponsorship Scheme - a rise from the 77 who arrived by September 6 when 96 visas had been issued.
However, it is feared that more refugees could become homeless as bills continue to soar and the six-month hosting period draws to a close.
Although the government has said it will continue to provide support to households for an additional six months, several charities are worried people may choose not to, given the rising costs of food and fuel.
Stan Benes, a trustee for Opora, a charity which helps Ukrainians to settle in the UK, said that government support has “too often fallen short”, leaving charities to fill in the gaps.
He added that the cost-of-living crisis was a “factor”, but that the main reason behind the breakdown in hosting arrangements was due to the “health and relationship between guests and hosts” as many hosts lack sufficient guidance or support.
Opora said it is also concerned that there are more homeless refugees that have fallen through the net since almost 30 per cent of councils did not provide data for September.
The DLUHC said it has been in contact with councils that have repeatedly not submitted data on homelessness and is currently looking into how it can increase response rates.
A spokesperson for DLUHC said: “We are grateful to the British public for opening up their communities to the people of Ukraine and the generosity they have shown.
“The majority of sponsors want to continue hosting for longer than six months.
"Where guests do move on they have a number of options, including to enter private rental or find a new host to sponsor them.
"Councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads."
Oldham Council was contacted for comment.
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