Richmond Council has issued a fresh appeal for landlords to come forward if they are able to offer housing to refugees from Afghanistan.

Thousands of Afghan citizens were evacuated from the country after it was taken over by the Taliban last year.

The UK has since pledged to provide homes for 20,000 refugees via the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme.

In a news release yesterday the Council, which is part of both resettlement schemes, said: "We are urging private landlords and residents with one bed and four bed properties to come forward if they are able to offer housing."

"If you would like to rent a property through us at an affordable rate and help refugees to come to Richmond for resettlement, please contact us," the Council added on a webpage with further details for landlords.

The plea to landlords comes some three months after a Richmond councillor revealed that homes secured for Afghan refugees in the borough had been empty for weeks and blamed this on delays in the resettlement scheme.

Last November (2021), West Twickenham Councillor Piers Allen, the Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health, told the Local Democracy Reporting service: We have not been able to make the progress that we've offered, because of the Home Office."

Responding at the time, a UK government spokesperson said there was "a huge effort underway" to get families permanently housed. They added that accommodation offered "must meet the needs of those being resettled."

Early this year (January 6 2022), the government announced it had formally opened the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and granted the first family indefinite leave to remain.

The government admitted that there were still 12,000 refugees in 80 'bridging' hotels and said it was aiming 'to resettle families permanently as quickly as possible.'

A further update on the resettlement scheme is due 24 February 2022.

What Richmond Council is looking for from landlords

Only self-contained homes to refugees can be offered to refugees and properties must meet the following criteria:

- Within the borough of Richmond upon Thames

- A self-contained home

- Have at least two bedrooms (ideally three/four)

- Fully furnished

- Available for private letting and as a landlord you will accept rent at local housing allowance rates

- Can be let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy for at least 24 months "These requirements are designed to ensure families have the security and space they need," the Council explained. It added that the following incentive packages are available: 1 bedroom = £2,000 +6 weeks rent in advance

2 bedroom = £2,500 + 6 weeks rent in advance

3 bedroom = £3000 +6 weeks rent in advance

4 bedroom = £3,500 +6 weeks rent in advance

Landlords able to provide properties can phone 020 8871 7333 or email [email protected] More information on Afghan refugee resettlement in Richmond borough and how residents can support recent arrivals is available HERE