Council support to refugees

The Council can confirm that the first refugees from Ukraine arrived in Orkney this month through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

The Council’s Head of Community Learning, Leisure and Housing, Frances Troup, said: “The household concerned is being hosted by a family on Mainland Orkney and it’s important that they are given the time and privacy required to be allowed to settle in as best they can.

“We have been in touch with the host to see how we can provide support and we are following that through.”

A further household is due to arrive in the county later this month and will again be hosted by a family on Mainland Orkney.

A further 68 households in Orkney have expressed an interest to host refugees under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and staff from within the Council are undertaking property and disclosure checks on those.

Ms Troup said: “We want to reassure those households that we are working our way through the list and carrying out the relevant property and safeguarding checks as quickly as we can. These take time given we have limited staffing available so please bear with us – there’s no need to call to check, we will get to everyone as soon as is possible.

“We are also delighted to have appointed a project officer to lead the process and planning for the resettlement programmes and they will take up the post next week (25 May). We are also in the process of appointing a housing support officer to assist.”

In terms of the earlier appeal by the Council for private registered landlords to come forward with offers of homes, Ms Troup said: “The Council made an earlier commitment to provide housing for two Afghan households and at least two Ukrainian households. Unfortunately, some of those who initially offered properties from within the private sector through that appeal have since pulled out.

“Our current position is that we had approached six people with private lets and four have since changed their minds for a number of reasons. The other two will go ahead, and we are making arrangements with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities who will match households for us.

“Staff are going to return to the original list of private offers and see if there any others that may meet the criteria and check to see if they are still available. We may have to go down the route of social housing, which raises further challenges as it is widely known that this is an area stretched to the limit and beyond.”

It is within the right of refugees to decline an offer of a home in Orkney, Ms Troup added.

“Some of these families will be from city areas and will know best whether a rural island setting is suitable for them or not, or whether we would have the facilities they feel they would require.

“For those who do come to Orkney, we are working with other agencies, such as the NHS, the police, Orkney Housing Association Ltd and the voluntary sector to ensure relevant services are in place. We must always be mindful that these are refugees fleeing a country at war and many will be traumatised and living in an unfamiliar place, perhaps not able to speak the language and not knowing anyone.

“Orkney is known for being a welcoming community and we must thank all those who have already contributed in so many ways. We are confident that people will continue to work with us to ensure those resettled here are made to feel as welcome as possible.”