The charity Welcome Churches has issued an urgent call for Christian landlords to take in refugees and asylum seekers – saying the UK church has a particular responsibility.
Recently launching its Welcome Homes initiative, the charity said more than 9,000 refugees – including Afghans and Ukrainians - are living in ‘halfway hotels’; with more than 3000 facing homelessness.
This figure, the charity warned, is expected to rise this year as thousands of Ukrainians in the UK reach the end of their 6-month sponsorship period. As of 31 January 2023, the government had issued 65,500 Ukraine Family Scheme visas.
The charity is on the hunt for landlords and others hosts able to provide refugees with safe homes – both short-term in a host’s home; and ‘socially minded’ landlords who can provide longer term affordable housing.
In 2022, Debbie Duncan and her husband took in a Ukrainian family of seven. She said: ‘The family had about 20 minutes to pack and flee their apartment in Kyiv.’ They did not even have pyjamas.
She added that their village was supportive, ‘always asking me what they needed, and the reality was, they did need so much more than expected’.
‘But.. it has been such an extraordinary time of learning, trusting God and helping people in a situation I can’t even imagine.’
Emily Shepherd of Welcome Churches said: ‘Many of these people have come to the UK to escape war or terror... They desperately need a movement of compassionate landlords and hosts who are willing to rent to refugees.
‘Throughout the Bible it is made clear that we should show hospitality and compassion to those in need. So whether you’ve got a spare room, or property to let, please get in touch. You could make a huge difference and turn around the situation for someone who has suffered incredible uncertainty and upheaval.’
For further information visit welcome-homes.org
