A UK household hosting a Ukrainian refugee has been forced to evict them after the local council said the arrangement breached planning laws. The family, who had offered a room to a woman fleeing the war, were told they needed planning permission for a change of use from a single dwelling to a house in multiple occupation.
The incident highlights potential pitfalls in the government's Homes for Ukraine scheme, which offers hosts £350 a month for providing accommodation. Under the scheme, sponsors can house refugees rent-free for at least six months, but local authorities have raised concerns about compliance with housing regulations.
The host family, who wish to remain anonymous, said they were devastated by the decision. 'We wanted to help someone in need, but now we've had to ask her to leave,' they said. The council confirmed that planning permission was required because the property was not designed for multiple occupants.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove had previously said tens of thousands of Ukrainians could come to the UK under the scheme, which launched in March 2022. However, the Refugee Council has warned of insufficient support for traumatised refugees and bureaucratic hurdles.
Local authorities receive £10,500 per refugee for support services, but planning issues like this may deter potential hosts. The government has faced criticism over the speed and scale of its response to the Ukraine crisis, with more than 2.5 million people fleeing the country since Russia's invasion.
