An appeal for private landlords in Somerset West and Taunton to come forward with vacant, or soon-to-be vacant, properties for rent, has been launched.

Somerset sponsors have been hosting refugee families under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. Accommodation is now needed as part of a planned pathway for moving guests out of sponsor accommodation and into private accommodation.

Somerset Councils are offering a one-off cash incentive of £1,000 per bedroom, with up to a maximum of £4,000 for homes with four bedrooms and above.

"Landlords will be asked to sign up Ukrainian tenants for a minimum 12-month term on a self-contained assured shorthold tenancy basis. They must also agree to a rent that sits within Local Housing Allowance rates.

This initiative is only available to households who arrived in the UK via the Homes 4 Ukraine scheme.

Somerset County Council’s Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity, Cllr Adam Dance, said: “We know that most hosts in Somerset are happy to continue with current arrangements. However a small proportion of these are now coming to an end. In order for us to house refugees, we need landlords to come forward to offer accommodation.

If you can offer a suitable property contact [email protected]