Council to revamp its landlord incentive scheme to help Ukrainian refugees

Council to revamp its landlord incentive scheme to help Ukrainian refugees

0:06 AM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

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A council has revealed that it will revise its ‘Homes for Ukraine – Landlord Incentive Scheme’ after finding the initial financial offerings were not attractive for landlords.

That’s because just one landlord signed up to the scheme – after 25 had contacted the council for more information.

South Cambridgeshire Council’s scheme was launched in October 2023 to help Ukrainian refugees secure private rented accommodation after living with host families.

However, despite a marketing campaign that reached more than 41,000 people, only one landlord has signed up so far.

Incentive package for interested landlords

In a report, council officials say the original incentive package for interested landlords was not generous enough.

The council report says that landlords want a better financial return compared to renting through existing methods.

Research found that one hurdle for landlords is the lack of a credit history for Ukrainians.

Proposing a significant increase in the incentive

Now the council is proposing a significant increase in the incentive offered, particularly for landlords who are willing to accept rent at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate.

This would involve:

  • Six months’ rent paid upfront by the Council at the LHA rate
  • A one-off £1,000 thank you payment for joining the scheme
  • An additional top-up payment to compensate for the lower LHA rent compared to market rates.

This top-up could range from £1,800 for a one-bedroom property to £3,150 for a three-bedroom property.

Help Ukrainian refugees find suitable housing

The Council says the changes are necessary to help Ukrainian refugees find suitable housing as they move on from living with host families.

So far, 289 groups have moved on from hosted accommodation, with only 123 finding private rentals.

The revised scheme is expected to be more attractive to landlords and give Ukrainian refugees a better chance of securing a permanent home in South Cambridgeshire.

The scheme is fully funded by the government.

A council meeting on 16 April is expected to agree to the new landlord proposals.


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Comments

Cider Drinker

8:05 AM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Only a philanthropic landlord would let a 3-bed property costing £300,000 plus for just £1,122 per month (LHA).

Why do refugees and migrants need to live in some of the most expensive areas of the country?

SteveFowkes

11:25 AM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 11/04/2024 - 08:05
It's an utter joke

Local councils must be creaming off some sort of gov money and then not passing it on to landlords I would guess..

Reluctant Landlord

12:12 PM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 11/04/2024 - 08:05they dont.
BUT because they have now been based in the areas they were moved too they can claim they have a 'local need' - especially if they have a job or have kids in local schools. They also know the system and don't want to be moved out of the nice area so refuse offers of places outside the boundary (which may be not as nice, but would be cheaper with possible accommodation available?).
Cambs temp accommodation bill ever spirals as a result....
Has this happened to me before when I offered a 5 bed hse in Birmingham to a North London Council. All good until tenant on housing list said no, DESPITE only being in the London Borough for 6 months under the ARAP scheme - so coming for a warzone in fear of their own life! They ALL know they can't be forced into accepting accommodation and Councils not willing to push because its leverage to get more money for temp accommodation from central government....(especially if the Council is Labour then they can bang on about government not building enough social housing enough blah blah..)

Councils need to TELL people to move to properties when there is enough space for their need. Everyone keeps going on about the crisis so it should mean emergency procedures enacted. Take the property offered or get offered a tent.

moneymanager

13:40 PM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

As the 'war' in Ukraine is the direct result of the long running CIA destabilisation of the country and NATO's abbrogating its promise to Russia of no eastward expansion, I don't feel disposed to help.

Reluctant Landlord

14:04 PM, 11th April 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 11/04/2024 - 13:40
I prefer it over housing this own countries own entitled benefit recipients who happily fail to pay rent and trash private properties, while our own government acts with complicity.

Judith Wordsworth

10:49 AM, 13th April 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 11/04/2024 - 13:40
What a load of rubbish.
The illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a direct result of Putin wanting to reinstate the “Russian Federation” of Peter the Great. Something he has said for decades that he proposed to do.

He started with non NATO ex Russian (USSR) countries ie Ukraine and also started against Moldova but back off for some reason.

Makes one wonder when/if he’ll try to get Alaska back! Then the proverbial will really hit the fan

GlanACC

12:00 PM, 13th April 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Plenty of council parks around - stick them in a tent

Edwin Cowper

13:08 PM, 13th April 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 11/04/2024 - 13:40Thanks for your comment, but please can you tell me where I can find evidence of what you say?
About the CIA. Of course seeing someone's allegation without evidence is worthless, isn't it?
Can you point me to the evidence that President Gorbachev was told that there would not be NATO expansion?
The latest applicants to NATO were simply the reaction of the countries to M r Putin's war on Ukraine. They think they might be next.They will if Russia 'wins' , Mean while Russia's unfortunate citizens are used as cannon fodder. 300,000 dead and injured?

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