Islington appeal for landlords to help transform the lives of Syrian refugees

Islington Council is appealing for landlords to help transform the lives of Syrian refugee families by offering accommodation in the borough.

In 2015, Islington became one of the first local authorities in the UK to welcome vulnerable Syrian refugees. Since then, 10 Syrian families have been given homes in the borough.

The council, working closely with local partners Refugee Action and Citizens UK, hopes to offer accommodation to eight more families under the government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS).

The council and its partners offer support to landlords, and rent will be guaranteed by the council. Anyone with a property that they think may be suitable should contact islingtonlettings@islington.gov.uk. Family flats with one, two or more bedrooms will be gratefully considered in all locations.

Syria currently faces a humanitarian crisis which has intensified in recent months, affecting the lives of civilians across the country.

Refugee families who would be resettled in Islington are currently living in refugee camps or other precarious accommodation in countries including Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan as a result of the ongoing Syrian crisis, and have been identified by the United Nations as vulnerable people who qualify for resettlement.

According to the UN more than one million refugees will need to be settled in 2018.

Living in the UK has made a positive difference to the lives of many families who have fled civil war and terrorism in Syria. Leila and her family were among the first Syrian refugees to arrive in the borough in 2015. She said: “Coming to the UK has given us the opportunity to start again. We love this country and will not forget the help they have given us.

“Yvette is more than a landlady, she is a friend. I was in shock when we first got here but she had done so much to welcome the family – she filled the home with toys.”

The council and its partners offer a package of help and support to help Syrian refugee families settle in Islington.

Islington is proud to be contributing to the success of the scheme and making a difference to the lives of those fleeing terrible living conditions in Syria.

Cllr Kaya Comer Schwartz, executive member for community development, said: “We’re very proud Islington has welcomed Syrian refugee families and made a real difference to the lives of people who are fleeing the awful situation in their country. We’re extremely grateful to Islington landlords who have already help to give these families a new home.

“We hope we can do even more, and we are asking people to please get in touch if you are able to offer accommodation. Please be assured that council will provide expert advice and support. We look forward to welcoming more Syrian refugees into Islington in the coming months.”