Labour-led Norwich City Council is delivering an initiative to home Afghan refugees, with four interpreters and their families already having been resettled. This follows efforts over the past four years to settle 40 Syrian refugee families.

The Afghan Locally Employed Staff Relocation Scheme is a national programme to relocate Afghan interpreters, and others employed by the British forces, who are facing threats or intimidation due to their employment. Locally, families have been swiftly matched with properties using Norwich City Council’s LetNCC service: a private sector leasing scheme which provides affordable homes to those not automatically eligible for social housing (e.g. without a local connection).

Cllr Alan Waters, Labour Leader of Norwich City Council, says:

“Despite the tragic circumstances, I am very proud that our welcoming city is able to offer a safe haven for a small but significant number of people at risk of harm in their home country.

“This builds on the work our team has previously done to help resettle Syrian families. We want to ensure the very best support for those arriving in Norwich from Afghanistan.”

For more information, including what to do if you have a whole property which could house an Afghan refugee family, visit Norwich City Council’s website.