Stratford-on-Avon District Council seeks landlord help

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is looking for privately rented accommodation of all sizes to resettle refugees.

Since 2016, Stratford-on-Avon District has successfully welcomed and resettled 20 refugee families. 

The first group of refugees were resettled through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS).  More recently, Stratford has provided refuge to more than 360 Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine, as well as those seeking to escape conflict and persecution in Afghanistan and a small number of refugees from other countries including Iraq, through the UK Resettlement Scheme.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's commitment

Building on the success of the Syrian scheme, over the next three years, Stratford-on-Avon District Council has pledged to resettle nine more families through the UKRS scheme and 20 through the Afghan schemes.  There are no specific resettlement pledges numbers for Ukrainian households. 

To make for a smooth and sustainable resettlement, support workers and interpreters assist families as they settle into the neighbourhood, helping them to engage with services, arrange hospital appointments and enrol in schools and nurseries.

How you can help

Local landlords are encouraged to contact the District Council if they have a self-contained property to let.

• Funding is available to cover up to six-weeks void period prior to occupation
• Rent in advance can be paid to meet terms of any tenancy agreement.
• Tenants receive Universal Credit Housing Cost (UCHC) payments to the maximum Local Housing Allowance rate, which can be paid directly to landlord.
• If there is a shortfall between UCHC payments and the market rent, funding is available to provide a top up for up to 24-months.
• The District Council works closely with landlords to ensure properties are sustainable in the longer term.

Please email: socialinclusion@stratford-dc.gov.uk with offers of housing or for further information please visit: Resettlement and Refugees | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Another way to help new arrivals to Stratford-on-Avon is to get involved with Welcome Here.  This volunteer group works to help refugees in the District 'rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.'  Volunteers help with a range of activities, including English conversation clubs, driving people to appointments, and facilitating social events such as cookery groups to create a space for refugees to connect and share cultural experiences.  For further information visit the Facebook page: Welcome Here Stratford-upon-Avon.