FEARS that Ukrainian families who have fled to East Lothian could end up on the council’s homeless list have been raised by officials

One family who came to the county under one of the host schemes set up to provide a safe escape from Russia’s war on their country has already presented to East Lothian Council as homeless after the placement failed.

And a report to councillors has warned that there is a “significant concern” the number of families this happens to will “rise quickly” as more arrive.

The report said that families were likely to present as homeless if “the family accommodation available is not of an appropriate size, previously agreed sponsorship commitments break down, accommodation commitment has exceeded six months and the host no longer wishes or is able to continue, or where retrospective checks identified post occupancy deem either the hosts or the properties unsuitable”.

The local authority has 37 hosts who have signed up either through the UK Homes for Ukraine scheme or the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme.

Both schemes require a level of council checks and registration, with disclosure checks on hosts and physical inspections of the properties, many of which are being done retrospectively.

A third scheme which allows Ukrainians with family already settled in the UK to come to the county does not require council involvement, so the numbers arriving through it are not logged.

READ MORE: Ukrainian couple arrive safely with host family in East Lothian

The report updating elected members on the Ukraine support in the county warned that the council’s homeless waiting lists were already under pressure and demand was so high that the council still relied on “unsuitable accommodation”.

It said: “Despite the delivery of substantial new affordable homes and high levels of housing allocations to homeless households, waiting times for rehousing can be significant depending on individual requirements and, as a result, the length of time spent in temporary accommodation generally is considerable, impacting adversely upon the overall flow through the system and further restricting the ability of the council to respond to need and demand.

“The Housing options team have already received one homeless presentation from a Ukrainian family and there is significant concern that this will begin to rise quickly.”

It is understood that, through the two council-supported schemes, five children are among those who have already arrived in East Lothian.

The report said that nine families arrived in the county between April 9 and April 26, with a further eight due to have arrived by last weekend.

READ MORE: More Ukrainian refugees expected to arrive in East Lothian in the coming days

The rest of the hosts are expected to welcome their families this month, with delays put down to passports/visas.

Data from the host households revealed that 41 per cent were couples and 28 per cent single people, with the remaining 31 per cent families with three or more people.

It added: “The majority of hosts are located in the east, including Dunbar, North Berwick, Gullane, Aberlady, Dirleton and East Linton, with a small number in the west.”

A Ukraine mailbox has been set up by the council for people who want to offer accommodation and has received about 170 enquiries since it was launched on April 14.

People can email ukraine@eastlothian.gov.uk to get in touch.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “Many East Lothian households have come forward to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, which is demonstrative of the strong, generous community spirit in East Lothian and we hope families arriving here will appreciate having somewhere safe and welcoming to stay.

"In our recent report to elected members, it was appropriate to highlight the pressure we already face in East Lothian with regard to the balance between need and demand for affordable housing and the pressure on securing suitable temporary accommodation.

"However, with the checks and support mechanisms we have put in place in East Lothian to support both host families and those arriving from Ukraine, we are very hopeful that homeless presentations can be avoided.

"We look forward to helping those arriving in East Lothian to settle as quickly as possible.”