Solving the housing crisis, support group creates shared housing for Ukrainians
Developer Ash Zuberi, Project Lead Viktoria Zavalnyuk and vice-chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Kris Talikowski
With the challenges of finding available properties to rent across the country, support group Swindon Welcomes Ukraine are taking a unique approach to helping some of the 400 Ukrainians in the area. They have partnered with a property developer, Easy Living Property, to create the first of many, Ukrainian-only houses for those looking to make their first step out of hosting and into private accommodation.
The project has created a Ukrainian HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) which, with it’s 6 bedrooms, will house a number of Ukrainians looking to gain independence as they find work and want to rent affordably. Some Ukrainians have been hosted for almost 18 months since the war began and many are struggling to be approved for private lets.
The Swindon Welcomes Ukraine team, who have been working to support the local Ukrainian population, decided to create a solution, partnering with a high quality HMO developer who has 40 existing properties across Swindon.
Vice-Chair of Swindon Welcomes Ukraine Kris Talikowski said, “We needed to find a solution as many Ukrainians were asking us for help in the private rental market so we started conversations with agents and landlords about making the process easier for Ukrainians who wont have a long credit history or lots of references. A shared house, is a great first step as it provides independent living, but in an affordable way, as the developer is keeping prices low for Ukrainians at around £700 including all bills.”
The partnership is in conjunction with Swindon Borough Council’s Warm Welcome Team who are providing first month’s rent and deposits for Ukrainians currently being hosted in Swindon. This enables Ukrainians an easier pathway to getting their first step on the property ladder.
The project was lead by the Swindon Welcomes Ukraine team who recruited an International Ukrainian Interior Designer Nataliya Kozhokar, who has worked on many global commercial projects. Project lead Viktoriia Zavalnyuk added, “we wanted to partner with someone who could infuse Ukrainian spirit into the house and make our guests feel as welcome as possible in their new home. Nataliya has done a fantastic job and we are so excited to be launching a Ukrainian house that could become a template for developers around the country.”