Afghan and Ukrainian families fleeing conflict are set to move into seven of 22 Government-funded properties in Bath & North East Somerset under a national resettlement scheme.

Using government funding the properties will provide short-term accommodation for families displaced by war but also provide a long-term legacy of more affordable housing in Bath and North East Somerset.

The council is working with Aequus Developments, the council's wholly-owned development company, to add 22 new homes to local affordable housing stock after it secured £3.04m from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Local Authority Housing Fund. 

Last March councillors at a Full Council meeting agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC), to provide 22 units of accommodation in return for £3.04m of funding. 

The money has been awarded on the condition that the properties will be used to provide homes for families fleeing conflict via the Ukrainian and Afghan resettlement and relocation schemes.

Once there is no further need to house these families the homes will be permanently available for other households on the council's housing register.

The first seven properties have been acquired and work is under way to complete the purchase of the remaining 15 homes. Families have now started moving into their new homes in locations close to amenities across Bath and North East Somerset.

Councillor Deborah Collins, Cabinet Project Lead for Leader and for Built Environment & Sustainable Development: said: "Many residents have been hosting families fleeing the conflict in Ukraine since 2022, so the availability of these properties means displaced families will have a home to call their own which is great for them and at the same time host families will get their spare rooms back.

"It is also good in the long term because it has allowed the council to increase its housing stock which for many years to come, will be available to individuals and families on our waiting list once Ukrainians and Afghans, on approved resettlement schemes, either return home or move on to other accommodation of their choosing."

Charles Gerrish, chair of Aequus, said: "Bath & North East Somerset Council has a strong record in supporting families fleeing conflict and has welcomed many Ukrainian guests. We are delighted to be working on this scheme which will eventually see 22 properties turned into homes for displaced families and boost the council's housing stock."