COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Permanent homes for up to 25 families fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan are going to be found in Warwick



As well as sourcing suitable housing to accommodate about 100 people identified through the government's Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, Warwick District Council’s housing team

will be working alongside the county council, public health and community groups to help those resettling in the area.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has also been working to identify privately rented self-contained accommodation for up to 25 families and is encouraging local landlords to get in touch if they can help.

Warwick councillor Jan Matecki said: "As a child from a displaced family the situation faced in the past weeks by those fleeing Afghanistan is very close to my heart.

"My parents were amongst the lucky ones who benefited from the generosity of this country at the end of the Second World War when as Polish nationals they found themselves in a situation when they had no home to return to."

She said she was "proud" the council would be offering "a safe and welcoming home to as many families and individuals from Afghanistan as possible".

Council's bid to rehome many more Afghan refugees welcomed by activists



Warwick District Council's bid to sharply increase the number of Afghan families it plans to rehome has been welcomed by activists.

The authority had been due to take three Afghan families seeking refuge from the oppressive Taliban regime that has taken control of their homeland.

But the council has now committed to finding permanent homes for 25 families and around 100 people.

The move has been welcomed by Mariam Alstom, who set up the Warwick and Leamington: Refugees Welcome Here action group on the belief that local councils should have been doing more.

"We’re delighted to hear that Warwick District Council has extended their support to 25 Afghan families, having previously said they would be helping just three," Mariam told WarwickshireLive.

"However, it does seem that this change of approach from WDC has come about not because of the outpouring of support locally for Afghan Refugees, but because the Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme means the Council won’t have to financially support the families.

"They can, and should, do better."