Anyone doing anything locally to find housing for refugees locally?

[beansprout]

Several years ago I know people got together in Herne Hill to find a house, furnish it etc and welcome a refugee family and offer support.

Is anything like this happening in East Dulwich? If so, please point me in the right direction and if not why don?t we as a community start something up.

Aside from what is happening in Ukraine at the moment, a lot of Afghanistan refugees are still in hotel accommodation according to recent news.

Just had to get this off my chest - people are dying and we on the forum do talk twaddle at times!

[IlonaM]

Refugees at Home - www.refugeesathome.org - 'is a UK charity which connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay. So far it has been responsible for placing 2,597 guests with a total of 199,455 placement nights.'

Another of the projects for individuals/families (not just clergy!)to offer accommodation to refugees & asylum seekers in London: https://www.compassionatecommunitieslondon.org.uk/refugee-response/clergy-hosting

'Do you have a spare room that you could offer to a homeless asylum-seeker, refugee or other migrant in need?

The Compassionate Communities team within the Diocese of London are working in partnership with Housing Justice to provide temporary accommodation for London?s destitute asylum-seekers, refugees and other forced migrants while they resolve their immigration status. Hosts provide invaluable respite for people who have come to the UK, often fleeing persecution or war, and have then been forced into years of destitution by a hostile immigration system.

?When did we see you a stranger and invite you in??

Matthew 25.38

Hosting offers a practical and supported way for Clergy to provide the safety and stability such people urgently need. You do not need to be a member of the clergy to become a host though ? you just need to live in London and have a spare room. Clergy Hosting has the support of the Bishops in the Diocese of London together with the Diocesan Registry, the Safeguarding and Property Teams.'

[IlonaM]

Just reported in the Guardian, quoting the Times:

'British people who want to host Ukrainian refugees in their home under a new government scheme will have to do so for a minimum of six months, reports the Times.

At the moment Britain?s visa scheme for Ukrainian refugees is limited to those with family members already settled in the UK.

But under another plan, expected to be launched on Monday, individuals and companies will be permitted to sponsor Ukrainians with no ties to the UK.

However, the Times reports that hosts taking part in the scheme will have to commit to a minimum of six months.

A government source told the newspaper:

It?s about making sure we have secure offers. Unfortunately it?s going to need to be a long-term scheme as it doesn?t look like they?ll be going home any time soon.'

[beansprout]

Just seen a website ukrainestakeshelter.com

Good to see that some people are already offering help without waiting for whatever payment gov is thinking about.

[IlonaM]

Another organisation: https://sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/

'The UK government has announced it is developing a new humanitarian sponsorship programme that will allow an unlimited number of Ukrainian families to come to the UK.

This humanitarian sponsorship route is currently being designed, but it will assist and accelerate the government response if we can capture expressions of interest from potential sponsors as soon as possible.

We are therefore asking individuals, community groups, churches, schools and businesses to register their interest in becoming a sponsor when the scheme is developed. Declaring your interest will greatly assist the development and acceleration of this vital provision for Ukrainian refugees.

Potential ways you could be involved include:

Welcoming a Ukrainian family to live in your community

Finding and possibly furnishing suitable accommodation

Raising of support funds (in previous sponsorships this has been ?1k - 9k per family)

Befriending and integration support through volunteering your time

If you believe you may be able to help, please fill in your details on the form below. With this information we can encourage the government that there is public support for the project.

Although we do not yet know the timescales for the sponsorship programme, your swift response will help us know how many Ukrainian families we are likely to be able to help.

We will be working with Reset Communities and Refugees, with whom we will share your details. As more information on the humanitarian sponsorship route is clear, we will be in contact. The information you provide will be shared with Reset Communities and Refugees, and other partner organisations for the purpose of responding to the crisis in Ukraine or other similar crises.

Are you a Ukrainian looking to come to the UK? Complete this form and we'll send you information about the sponsorship scheme as it becomes available.'

[IlonaM]

Online event: Find out how you can help refugees in Southwark

Date and time: Tue, 22 March 2022 18:30 ? 20:00 GMT

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southwark-stands-with-refugees-online-event-tickets-296996553687?utm_campaign=47ec100613-SE1+Direct+1006_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_source=SE1+Direct&utm_term=0_9d1f71fd65-47ec100613-407870801

'Find out how you can help refugees in Southwark.

About this event

Are you an individual, company or organisation in Southwark who wants to support people affected by the refugee crisis in Ukraine?

Join our online event to learn more about the refugee crisis in Ukraine as well as the broader situation regarding refugees in our borough and ways that you can help locally.

Southwark has a long and proud history of welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers seeking safety and sanctuary.

The current war in Ukraine has led to the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. It is essential that we come together as a community to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees over the coming weeks and months. Alongside this growing crisis, it is also important to provide support and assistance to other refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to leave their homes and seek sanctuary in our borough.

Please join us for this event to demonstrate your support and find out how you can help. You can also find out more on the council?s website.

Organised by Southwark Council in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers, Southwark Refugee Communities Forum, Panshir Aid and Community Southwark'

[IlonaM]

Also see: https://www.ukrainianlondon.co.uk/helping-ukrainian-refugees-arriving-in-the-uk/