Hastings to discuss commitment to helping Afghan refugees

Hastings Borough Council's Cabinet is set to discuss the council's commitment to support Afghan refugees who have fled Afghanistan due to continued unrest.
The Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Relocation Scheme and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme were introduced by the government earlier in the year to support families who have come to the UK to settle.
Cabinet members are due to discuss committing to helping up to 14 individuals under the LES, and up to 40 individuals on the citizens' scheme. The discussion will take place at a Cabinet meeting in January.
There is also a proposal to match fund a CHART (Connecting Hastings and Rother Together) project to work with the families to help them find employment.
Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for housing, said: "As a town we have always supported refugees who are in need of safety and security, and these schemes are no different. We already have several Syrian refugee families settled in our town, through a Vulnerable Person's Resettlement programme. Through this we know what works and we are proposing to work with community groups including The Refugee Buddy Project, the Links Project and Hastings Community of Sanctuary to ensure these new programmes are successful."
As with previous resettlement schemes, the council will be looking to rehouse the refugees in private rented accommodation rather than using social housing due to the pressures on local housing supply. If you have a home that could be suitable, please email housingadvice@hastings.gov.uk. The programme also works to support people getting into work so any employers who could offer opportunities are encouraged to get in touch.
The Cabinet meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 4 January at 6pm and will be streamed live on the council's website.
Editor's Note:
The LES scheme was set up to help Afghans who worked alongside British forces in Afghanistan, and the Afghan Citizen Resettlement scheme aims to help those who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict and unrest.