To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional housing they are planning, together with (1) local authorities, (2) the Housing Corporation, and (3) others, in light of the arrival of more refugees from (a) Afghanistan, (b) Ukraine, and (c) Hong Kong, and other long-term visa holders.
Answered on
7 July 2022
The UK has a long and proud history of welcoming migrants including recent arrivals from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and Hong Kong. All conflict and threat situations are unique and require unique and tailored responses, including different levels of required housing support and different means of providing this.
We are actively exploring options to provide suitable settled homes for refugees in housing need, which support their integration and access to education and employment.
In the longer-term, the provision of affordable housing is a key element of the Government's plan to end the housing crisis, tackle homelessness and provide aspiring homeowners with a step onto the housing ladder. Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country, should economic conditions allow. Around half the homes will be for affordable and social rent and we will deliver more than double the amount of social rent compared to the current programme, with around 32,000 social rent homes due to be delivered.