The council is set to purchase six new properties for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, thanks to funding from the UK Government’s levelling up department.

Next week, it is expected the council will join the Local Authority Housing Fund and this will unlock up to £1,108,620 in grant funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The funding will mean the council can buy five two-bed or three bed homes for Ukrainian families, and one home with four or more bedrooms for an Afghan family from a bridging hotel.

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The programme is set to cost £2.3 million in total.

There are currently 400 people living in Oxford as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the city council has supported 47 families under national re-settlement schemes.

Councillor and cabinet member for housing Linda Smith said the homes would eventually become “regular council homes available for us to let to people on our general needs housing register”.

Ms Smith said: “Oxford is a proud city of sanctuary and we’re committed to doing what we can to support refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

“This scheme represents a good deal for the council, as government support plus our match funding will allow us to provide settled, affordable council homes for six families.”

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The Local Authority Housing Fund is allocating additional funds to areas which have welcomed in a substantial number of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The grant will be used alongside £1,221,700 in match funding from the housing revenue account and all six properties will eventually be let out at a social rent level. 

A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “We remain determined to do all we can to support those brave Ukrainians and Afghans who have found shelter in the UK.

“We have already committed £500m under the Local Authority Housing fund to help councils, including Oxford, to source homes to house Ukrainians and Afghans currently in bridging accommodation.

"The fund has been expanded by £250 million to further assist councils in meeting housing pressures.

“We are delighted to see this fund is already delivering much needed homes as we help refugees put down roots, commit to employment and integrate into communities.”