Working in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council we have provided 18 additional homes for homeless refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The new homes are in addition to our programme of building new homes and have been financed by the council which received £6.8m from the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund to provide 43 homes across the district. The fund was set up last year to allow local authorities to buy housing from refugees fleeing conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Lettings advisor Jo Crompton has been working with neighbourhood coach Kelly Sprangle to help one Afghan family settle into their new home.

“They'd been living in limbo for months, unsure of what lies ahead,” she said. “We reached out, got all the necessary details, and started the application process. Meeting them in person when I handed over the keys to their new home and seeing first-hand the impact of our efforts, was just amazing. It's moments like these that remind me why I do what I do.

Last month representatives from Bromford and the council gathered at South Gloucestershire Council’s offices in Yate to celebrate the completion of the homes.

Councillor Claire Young, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted to see these additional affordable homes provided, which will help refugees in the area find a suitable and settled place to live. This is a collaborative project delivered locally by the council’s Housing Enabling Team in cooperation with our Resettling Communities and HomeChoice teams, who I send thanks to, as well as to partners from the housing associations.

“I’m pleased this funding has not only provided housing for the immediate need but will also help reduce pressure on our local services, benefiting people across South Gloucestershire. This is a significant amount of money invested in the area, which will provide a great boost to the local economy.”

Felicity Hill, project manager at Bromford, said: “As the biggest housing association in South Gloucestershire we’re delighted to be working with the council to provide homes to those who have fled conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan. By working closely with our development partners we have used the funding to acquire 18 additional properties in areas where we already have a strong presence. This ensures that not only will we be providing people with safe, secure and affordable place to live, but will be able to help them thrive in their new homes as well.”