City Council ready to help with refugee resettlement if required
Winchester City Council has assessed its ability to assist with resettlement for Syrian refugees and is ready to respond positively and work with others to support the programme if required.
Hampshire County Council is acting in a co-ordinating role for Hampshire to ensure any housing offered takes account of education, health and support needs – this reflects the Government’s wish for agencies to work collaboratively.
Hampshire County Council is looking for school spaces first and Winchester City Council will match housing requirements accordingly. This would use the private rented sector and not the Council’s housing stock so there would be no impact on ability to meet housing need locally. There is no confirmation of numbers at this stage but they are likely to be small if required – three or four families a year over five years.
Cllr Caroline Horrill, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
We have yet to see any resettlement in Winchester but we remain committed to responding positively if the need arises.
The City Council is not directly involved in collection or donation schemes but a link to the relevant information is provided on the Council’s website at:
http://www.winchester.gov.uk/about/syrian-refugees/.