Families from Afghanistan will be offered sanctuary in South Gloucestershire initially as thousands seek refuge from persecution from the Taliban.

South Gloucestershire Council is among a growing number of local authorities making public commitments to resettle families from Afghanistan after Kabul fell to militants on Sunday (August 15).

The council announced on August 18 it has identified three homes for Afghan households and is asking private landlords to come forward with more, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The Government has set out a plan for the UK to take up to 20,000 refugees from the country, with up to 5,000 to be resettled in the first year.

Councillor Franklin Owusu-Antwi, who has previously served in Afghanistan and is council’s armed forces champion, said: “We are already working closely with partner organisations, who will be able to work directly with any refugees who resettle in South Gloucestershire, as well as identifying suitable accommodation so that those who come here can be given a safe and supported welcome.

“We have already identified at least three family homes which we believe will be suitable for those who may be coming from Afghanistan,” the cabinet member for public health and equality of opportunity said.

 “We stand by our own armed forces veterans and others who risked and sacrificed so much to help in Afghanistan; so it is right that we also now stand by those local people who worked alongside them, often sharing the same risks, and who now need our help.”

Landlords or owners of properties in South Gloucestershire who believe they may have suitable accommodation available in the coming weeks and months who would like to discuss providing housing for those being resettled are invited to contact sghomes@southglos.gov.uk. 

“We know that four-bedroom family homes are likely to be in particularly high demand,” a spokesperson for the council said. “Rent will be paid within the housing benefit cap.”