Approval will be sought to extend the support offered to service families at the upcoming Executive meeting of Surrey Heath Borough Council on 23 July 2024.
Since the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Schemes were launched in July 2021, the council has supported a number of families of those who served alongside British armed forces in Afghanistan.
This has involved assisting with the integration of those who were relocated to the borough because they were at risk of persecution and death in Afghanistan as a result of working alongside British forces.
This work is funded via an ‘Integration Tariff’ from national government.
To date, the Ministry of Defence has offered some Service Family Accommodation for Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy families to live in and is now seeking to source other properties from the private rental sector.
The Executive is being asked to approve that the council makes use of its existing knowledge and track record to provide integration support to 5 families who are resettled into this new accommodation in Surrey Heath.
Cllr Lisa Finan-Cooke, Surrey Heath Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Resident Services and Communities said: “We have a proud military history in this area and we are pleased to be able to support Afghan military personnel and their families who have fled the country due to threats to their lives as a result of working alongside British forces.
“All housing being sourced through this route is private rental sector properties and will not have an impact on the availability of social housing properties for those on the housing register.”
Access the Agenda of the Executive meeting of 23 July 2024, and read more details on the Service Family Accommodation item, and other items to be discussed - https://surreyheath.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=127&MId=4354 (external link)