BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has decided to buy 14 houses in the borough to support refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The council is adding £1.392m from the central government fund to the capital programme to support rehousing of refugees under the housing fund scheme.

The decision was announced at a full council meeting on Thursday, February 16.

The council has been working with registered housing providers to determine the most effective means to deliver the fund objectives.

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It is hoped that up to 14 properties will be acquired from the round one funding – seven with Vivid and seven with Sovereign Housing Associations for Ukraine and Afghan refugees.

Additional round two funding of £780,000 will deliver five properties by Winchester Housing Trust.

The units are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023-24.

Basingstoke Gazette: Councillor Gavin James speaking at the Basingstoke and Deane full council meetingCouncillor Gavin James speaking at the Basingstoke and Deane full council meeting (Image: Newsquest)

Council co-leader and finance portfolio holder Cllr Gavin James said: “The houses are bought into the social home sector in order to support residents from those communities have a quality life in this country.”

In a jibe at the central government, Cllr James said: “That money was sent down from central government for that specific purpose. It was very successfully bid for by our officers, but didn't do quite as well as the Rwandan government, but they didn't do badly.”

Cllr James also announced that there's a new scheme to purchase and refurbish May Place which offers 20 rooms with 24 hour support for people who have been street homeless.

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May Place is currently owned by London and Quadrant Housing Trust.

The councillor said: “Over the years this council has explored alternative sites and whether there are better options out there. But it came to the conclusion that May Place is the right location but it's just not the right environment for those people.

“So, I'm pleased that we're able to put the money into the scheme to purchase and to renew May Place to make it a fit place. In the past, May Place was where we just saw problems. And we're hoping to turn it into an environment where we solve problems and move people on to a better life.”