More than 60 Afghan refugees have been permanently rehoused in Liverpool after fleeing the Taliban.
Following the fall of Kabul last year, thousands were forced to leave their homes, fearing for their lives. Hundreds of those made their way to seek solace in Liverpool after the city became one of the first in the UK to pledge its support.
A specialist hotel in the south of the city has helped to provide shelter to around 300 refugees in the city since last summer. Of the first cohort of those housed in the hotel, 63 have now been given permanent accommodation in Liverpool through the local authority’s work with social landlords.
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A meeting of Liverpool Council ’s neighbourhood select committee was told that a “constant flow” of refugees is being supported in the city, with around 300 still occupying the hotel. Around 150 of the first refugees to be supported are still living in the hotel, owing to the size of their families, the meeting was told.
Liverpool Council is providing what it describes as a “wrap around” service, funded by the Home Office. A target of permanently rehousing a further 30 individuals has been set by the local authority but it must be “mindful of housing availability”.
Almost a dozen of those given support by the council since fleeing their home country have been able to find work, with occupants described as “highly educated and influential.” Around 20 young people have since signed up to play for Liverpool Cricket Club since moving to the city, Cllr Richard Clein told colleagues.
Earlier this year, the local authority said it would rehouse a further 180 Ukrainians also seeking refuge from the Russian invasion that began back in February. In the first four months since war broke out, 158 people have been resettled in the city through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme while more have come to the country through the Ukraine Family Scheme.
An additional 1,100 people fleeing Ukraine have come through Liverpool Airport since war broke out, heading to a destination other than Liverpool. Funding is being provided for sponsors helping to house refugees, while the city council has recruited two new positions to help coordinate resettlement.
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