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Local authorities in Yorkshire and Humber have agreed to resettle Syrian families fleeing conflict, with Craven District Council accepting around five families for housing in the private sector.

Councils are appealing for private landlords to come forward with properties in Yorkshire and Humber that would be suitable for families.

Director of Services at Craven District Council, Paul Ellis, said:

“We want to do what we can to help these families who have found themselves in terrible circumstances through no fault of their own.

“We are asking all landlords who would be interested in supporting this scheme to contact us for further discussions.

“We are looking for family houses of all sizes in Skipton, Crosshills, Glusburn or Sutton – but we would not discount offers of one bed accommodation, flats or bungalows.”

The UK government is planning to accept up to 20,000 Syrian families, unaccompanied children and vulnerable adults from refugee camps on the Syrian border by 2020. The government will fund local authorities accepting refugees for the first year.

Craven DC says that refugees will be responsible for the payment of their own rent – and will be initially claiming housing benefit when they arrive in the UK, so rents charged must be in line with the Local Housing Allowance rates.

Any property offered would have to be inspected by the council and meet the necessary legal standards. In addition, landlords may be required to pass a “fit and proper person” test.

Craven DC says that, in return for providing accommodation, the council is able to offer landlords funding towards redecoration, flooring and curtains, payment for void periods, fast track housing benefit, a named point of contact within the council for any issues, bond and rent in advance – and a dedicated support worker for the family.

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