The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced funding for up to 600 new homes in London for Ukrainians and Afghans who have fled conflict and are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in unsuitable temporary accommodation. 

The announcement came as the capital joined others around the world in marking the first anniversary of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine.

City Hall, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and other London landmarks were lit up to join an international moment of solidarity with Ukrainians in London and abroad.

The National Theatre, Oxo Tower and Southbank Centre was also lit up in Ukrainian colours, and the capital’s world-famous screens at both Piccadilly Circus and Outernet sent a message of solidarity to all those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine.

They join other cities around the world lighting up landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Torre Monumental in Buenos Aires and others across Warsaw, Madrid, Brussels, Prague, Budapest and more.

The Mayor also attended a commemorative service at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which was attended by the Ukrainian Ambassador, faith leaders and Ukrainian refugees.

London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing conflict, with 16,000 Ukrainian refugees currently living in London under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and hundreds of Afghans accommodated in Home Office bridging accommodation sites in the capital.

However, many of the bridging accommodation sites are due to close in the coming months and the initial six-month accommodation commitment by hosts through the Homes for Ukraine scheme will, in the vast majority of cases, be ending soon or have already ended. This will put further pressure on already stretched council accommodation programmes.

To ease this pressure, the Mayor has been allocated £126m from the Government’s £500m Local Authority Housing Fund to enable boroughs and housing associations to deliver 600 affordable homes for Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict. In London the programme will be known as the Refugee Housing Programme (RHP), and will run until 31^st March 2024.

Housing associations and local authorities who have an ambition to develop RHP homes will be able to bid for funding from early spring. The programme will fund new home acquisitions, including refurbishing existing or newly acquired homes, purchasing new-build properties or developing new homes. Individual funding allocations will be approved and administered by City Hall.

The programme will also make funding available for local authorities and housing associations to provide better quality and more sustainable accommodation for households currently in Home Office bridging accommodation. This will often be for larger homes, given the average family size of those in bridging accommodation.

In the longer term, the homes delivered through the RHP will be returned to councils and housing associations to become social or affordable rented homes available for Londoners on the housing waiting list or who require temporary accommodation. 

Rents charged to refugees will be affordable. All Ukrainian and Afghan scheme arrivals have the right to work, receive benefits and access public services.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “On this tragic milestone – the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – our city stands in solidarity with millions around the world in support of the innocent people of Ukraine. Our landmarks have been lit in Ukrainian colours and our world-famous billboards are posting messages in honour and solidarity with all those impacted by the ongoing war, which tragically continues to cause so much suffering.

“I’m committed to supporting refugees who have come here to rebuild their lives and do everything I can to help them thrive in their local community. That’s why I’ve announced a new programme which will see City Hall deliver up to 600 affordable homes for Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict, giving those who have been through such harrowing upheaval the stability they deserve.”

Cllr Georgia Gould, chair of London Councils, said: “Boroughs are proud to play a pivotal role in welcoming Ukrainian and Afghan refugees to the capital and ensuring they receive the support they need from local services.

“However, London’s severe shortage of affordable housing makes it extremely hard to find suitable accommodation for everyone who requires it. This funding will boost the vital work taking place across the capital to secure much-needed housing. We’ll continue to work with our partners, including in government, to make sure enough resources are available for tackling this on-going challenge.”

Tamsin Baxter, Executive director of external affairs at the Refugee Council: “Our country has a long and proud history of providing protection to people fleeing war, persecution and violence. When the war in Ukraine began a year ago, thousands of British people opened their homes, giving Ukrainians a warm welcome in their hour of need. This is who we are – we provide protection and a place to call home to those who have lost everything.

 “At a time when we’re seeing the number of refugees facing homelessness in the UK rising, the Refugee Housing Programme provides a very welcome solution for sustainable housing for people who have lost everything.  A place to call home, in a welcoming community, are key elements of helping refugees rebuild their lives in safety here in the capital.”