Our housing team is doing everything it possibly can to work with partners to help house Afghan families.    

Havant Borough Council is working with Hampshire County Council on the Afghan ‘Locally Engaged Staff’ scheme (which is providing accommodation for household members who have worked with UK armed forces).  

A funding package will support households with rent/bills etc for a four-month period to allow benefit claims to be processed or employment found.  

Currently the team is working with housing partners to identify suitable accommodation in Havant - properties will be furnished, and support will be provided by Two Saints. We have committed to accommodating two families at each council (this is what the request was from the Home Office) and this will be in the form of two or three-bedroomed properties. 

At this time, any temporary or emergency accommodation is in the control of the Home Office and the council is not currently looking at individual properties/rooms for this. However, it may be the case that, when more information about a future ’Afghan Citizen Resettlement’ scheme is available, that we do need to look at these.  

Community First will be co-ordinating donations and other support.