HARLOW Council has helped find two homes in the private rented sector which can used to support Afghan citizens resettling in the UK.

The two family-sized homes offered by a Local Lettings Agency will be made available to Essex County Council in the coming weeks to support Afghan families as part of resettlement programmes.

Last week the Leader of the Council pledged that the council would help and find suitable accommodation through the private sector.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “Following last week’s developments our housing team moved quickly to work with private housing providers to identify suitable homes, which can be used to resettle and support Afghan citizens coming to the UK as part of resettlement programmes. One provider has made a commitment to provide two homes. These are not council homes, these are private sector homes which would not normally be available or allocated to families on the Harlow Housing Needs Register. The resettlement programmes will be funded by the government and coordinated by Essex County Council and will include much-needed wraparound specialist support to help the families settle here.

“I very much hope that these homes, once they are ready, will make those families coming to Harlow and to Essex feel welcome. Not only will it provide them with a new home, but the opportunity to start a new life away from the threats of persecution from the Taliban and an uncertain and desperate situation which has unfolded in Afghanistan. I am pleased that Harlow is doing its bit to assist the government as part of a national effort to help women, children and others most in need from Afghanistan.“