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29
Sept 2023
Last Updated: 28/09/2023
Harrogate and Ripon to provide more homes to Afghan refugees
Refugees boarded planes from Kabul in the middle of the night. Picture: Ministry of Defence.
More Afghan refugees are to be housed in Harrogate and Ripon following an urgent request from the Home Office.
North Yorkshire Council has approved the use of eight Ministry of Defence properties in the county — but also flagged up concerns about the pressure on its housing stock.
Six of the new homes are in Catterick and one each is in Harrogate and Ripon.
A council report cited humanitarian concerns as the reason for agreeing to the request and said eight properties "would be manageable in relation to school places, integration support and English language classes".
But it added:
"Caution is necessary in relation to accommodating more than eight additional households.
"Existing housing pressures in the county need to be considered alongside the fact that North Yorkshire Council is responsible for finding move-on housing for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy households in the service family accommodation properties should they wish to stay in North Yorkshire."
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The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, which was implemented in April 2021, entitles Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK in Afghanistan and their partners and children to relocate to the UK.
The report said North Yorkshire had resettled 175 people from 45 Afghanistan households under the scheme since February 2021 and had also received over 1,300 Homes for Ukraine arrivals since spring 2022 , "some of whom are requiring move-on housing in the county following the end of their sponsorship period".
Rachel Joyce, the council's assistant chief executive local engagement, said:
“There are specific timelines for this process, however, the Ministry of Defence have identified eight properties in total in Harrogate, Ripon and Catterick Garrison which would provide safe and suitable accommodation for eligible Afghan refugee families.
“Families will be matched to the properties giving them the independence, space and privacy they require. It’s also a chance for them to integrate with the local community and play a part in community life.
“We are unable to reveal the exact addresses of the properties at this stage.”
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