A million pound government grant will help buy homes for refugees in Northumberland.

Northumberland County Council is using the £1m subsidy, from a £500m capital grant fund, to acquire homes for war-displaced refugees.

The Council has commenced purchasing 12 properties—eight earmarked for Ukrainian families and four for Afghan households.

The Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) initiative is intended to ease local housing pressures and homelessness services.

A Ukrainian mother and daughter, who sought refuge in Northumberland after fleeing Kyiv, are the first to benefit from the initiative, relocating to Cramlington.

Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for housing said: "Unfortunately we are now seeing rising numbers of refugee families presenting as homeless, or in threat of being homeless as their placements end and families struggle with the rising cost of living, overcrowding and a shortage of rental housing.

“The statutory responsibility to provide accommodation if refugees become homeless when in the county rests with the council.

“The housing the council is purchasing will reduce the emergency and temporary accommodation costs incurred by the council in housing refugees.

"It will also provide a longer-term accommodation solution whilst giving them the chance to integrate with the local community and play a part in community life.”