The funds have been provided by the Scottish Government’s Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund with the aim of utilising currently vacant properties for housing displaced Ukrainians. The initiative is intended to minimise the impact on the housing needs of local residents.

The move follows the arrival of 24,674 Ukrainians in Scotland under the UK and Scottish Government visa schemes designed to aid those displaced by the war. As of 5 June this year, 3,945 of these Ukrainians are still living in contingency accommodations.

In Stirling, 329 Ukrainians are spread across 157 households. Of these, 40% still reside in temporary accommodations such as hotels and serviced apartments, and 23% are staying with local community sponsors, Stirling Observer reports.

While the initial commitment by sponsors was for a six-month period, there has been little growth in the number of sponsors. As some of the sponsor-guest relationships come to an end, an increasing pressure is placed on housing services, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a report for yesterday’s council meeting, officers acknowledged that Stirling is already grappling with a substantial need for affordable housing, with 3,389 active housing applicants and homeless households. The city’s affordable housing turnover is among the lowest in Scotland, averaging 40 new homeless assessments per month. An influx of Ukrainian households requiring these assessments could strain resources further.

Officers have highlighted that the available void properties could ameliorate the situation. These properties require extensive work including kitchen and bathroom replacements, electrical rewiring, window replacements, structural alterations, and decoration. The £720,000 grant is expected to cover, either partially or in full, these renovations along with furnishings.