DOZENS of Ukrainian families across Southampton are at risk of being homeless, the Daily Echo understands.

In the past few months, Ukrainian refugees have been travelling to the city to join their host families as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

This allows residents of war-torn Ukraine to move in with a UK household for a minimum of six months.

But for those that moved four months ago, soon after the war started, the end of those six months is drawing near.

As some families are not prepared to host them for any longer, dozens of refugees fleeing from conflict could soon end up on the streets.

Read more: Ukrainian family ends up homeless in Southampton

Melanie Tudjaroglu from the Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group said she is working with Southampton City Council to find permanent housing solutions.

It comes after the group received reports of a Ukrainian family sleeping on park benches in the city.

Melanie, one of the volunteers, said: “We’re going to meet with the council to discuss the next steps of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

“Some hosts have said they’re only committed to six months, and now that we are coming towards the end of that for those first families, we need a plan going forward and what that looks like.”

Factors such as language and cultural barriers as well as the rise in the cost of living have made it increasingly difficult for British families to accommodate their Ukrainian counterparts for long periods of time.

Melanie added: “[Refugees] need a house and security, somewhere to live, a roof over their heads where they can settle and live without having to worry day to day about where they are going to be.

“If they're rehoused with the Homes for Ukraine scheme, then we’re going to be in the same place six months from now. We need more permanent solutions.”

Melanie's group has helped multiple families settle in the city in the past few months.

They have been helping refugees get their biometrics appointment, register with doctors and dentists, fill out school admission forms and more.

“Absolutely anything you can think of, we’ve done it,” said Melanie.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the council said: "There is a limited supply of accommodation for all people who present as homeless.

"Members of the Welcome Hub team have regularly been deployed to work with people intensively, particularly where large families have arrived in Southampton, often traumatised, and needing help finding their feet and ensuring their emergency needs are covered."

A meeting to discuss what can be done will take place on Thursday next week.

Home Office data released last month shows there were 13 refugee households in Southampton who were either homeless or at risk of homelessness as of June 3.

This included seven families whose relationship with their hosts broke down and six who arrived and found their accommodation to be unsuitable.

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