More than £300 million allocated to English councils to support housing for Ukrainian refugees remains unused, according to new data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Responses from 150 councils revealed that £327 million – roughly one-third of the £1 billion budget – is still sitting in local authority bank accounts. Meanwhile, thousands of Ukrainian refugees are at risk of homelessness.
Limited Spending on Accommodation
The FOI responses show that most of the funds spent so far have gone toward staffing costs and payments to partner organisations rather than direct housing. Only £22 million has been used for temporary accommodation and £15 million for private rental housing.
Charities warn this lack of direct support is leaving vulnerable families at risk. In February, the British Red Cross estimated that 6,400 Ukrainian households in the UK could experience homelessness over the next year.
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said councils receive a set amount of funding per arrival, which can be used throughout a refugee’s stay in the UK rather than immediately.
“Ultimately councils are best placed to understand the needs of their local communities and explain how this money is spent,” the spokesperson added.
Calls for Urgent Action
Refugee support organisations argue that the unspent funds should be urgently directed toward housing solutions as pressures mount on local councils and refugee families. Campaigners have urged greater transparency and efficiency to prevent a worsening crisis.
