Sidmouth: Almost 40 East Devon households offer homes to Ukrainian refugees

Almost 40 households in East Devon have come forward to offer homes for Ukrainian refugees.

According to the Home Office, as of Tuesday 29 March, 37 households in the district had responded to the government's scheme to provide housing to people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) says its private housing team is undertaking property inspections and Devon County Council (DCC) is carrying out safeguarding checks to make sure the homes are suitable.

It is part of the government-run 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme. Upper-tier local authorities will be paid £10,500 for every Ukrainian refugee housed in their area, with an additional top-up to help support children's education.

Individuals who provide accommodation to Ukrainian refugees will be paid £350 per month for up to a year.

Speaking at an EDDC cabinet meeting, John Golding, the council's strategic lead for housing, health and the environment said: "We are totally committed to playing our part in the scheme and are fully engaged in what is quite a rapidly developing project.

"We are also appreciative of the generous offers from sponsors or host households that have come forward in East Devon to provide a home for people fleeing from the horrendous violence that we've been seeing in Ukraine."

Mr Golding said the council is working closely with DCC and other districts to implement the Home Office scheme and highlighted EDDC's efforts to encourage financial donations to Ukraine through recognised charities.

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