Over 160 Ukrainian nationals who left war-torn homeland move into Renfrewshire housing

A total of 161 Ukrainian nationals have now moved into settled accommodation across Renfrewshire after leaving their war-torn homeland.

They form 78 different households who are known to have relocated to the area via one of the government initiatives.

These include the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows family members of British nationals and settled persons to stay in the United Kingdom, and the Sponsorship Scheme, which allows Ukrainian nationals and family to come to the UK if they have a sponsor.

As part of the latter, also referred to as Homes for Ukraine, the Scottish Government has operated a ‘super sponsor’ arrangement, although temporarily paused, where people can apply to come to Scotland without having first secured hosted accommodation.

The figures were revealed in a report to the Leadership Board, which is due to be discussed on Wednesday.

The update also confirmed nearly 700 people have been supported at Glasgow Airport’s welcome hub — a facility providing temporary accommodation and assistance to those arriving at the international travel hub.

Additionally, as of August 23, council staff were supporting more than 400 people in temporary accommodation at sites across Renfrewshire, who are waiting on offers of resettlement across the country.

To date, almost 15,000 people have arrived in Scotland, of which 3,299 have been to private hosts and 11,638 through the super sponsor scheme.

Based on the number of visa applications in progress, it is estimated there could be thousands more Ukrainians, displaced following the Russian invasion, set to travel to Scotland in the months to come.

So far, the local authority has put forward 23 council houses, while 19 properties have been offered by registered social landlords.

However, the report added: “There is a continuing demand for housing to meet the needs of those who have both arrived and are in welcome accommodation, and those who have been granted visas but are still to travel.”

The council is considering different housing supply options, such as the temporary use of properties previously held for demolition and the strategic acquisition of private housing from the open market.

“It is recognised that the pressure on available housing will continue to be an ongoing risk, especially as host relationships come to a natural end, or suffer break down,” the report said.

“Work is being taken forward at a national level to develop a better understanding of the likely long-term demand, and to develop solutions.”