Homeless Ukrainian refugee 'scared someone will smash his head in' on the street
A Ukraine refugee fears someone will "smash" his head in on the street after becoming homeless.
Sergiy, 44, came to the UK on the Homes for Ukraine scheme and said he was registered under Ealing Council in south West London.
After fleeing the war, he moved to Ealing but his relationship with his host started to deteriorate. He says he has been living on the streets since Wednesday and is struggling to sleep in case someone steals his documents.
Sergiy said he has desperately tried to contact the council but claims "no one cares" about him.
“I am very worried about my safety," he said. "How can I sleep? There are lots of strange people passing by.”
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He added that although he has been safe so far, “you don’t know who you are going to see – I am scared somebody will smash my head in.”
The refugee said he befriended a fellow homeless person in a bid to help keep his documents protected while he sleeps. “I have my documents with me. If they are stolen I have nothing and I can go nowhere," he told LBC.
After his relationship with his host broke down, Sergiy said he discovered another solution in Ireland. However, after the arrangement came to an end he was left with nowhere to live. The refugee was at a loss but said he decided to go back to Ealing as the council were originally responsible for him.
The 44-year-old said he pleaded for alternative accommodation but is yet to hear back from the council. He further added that he is struggling to get hold of food because he was told he has to wait 3-7 days for a foodbank referral.
Ealing Council have since confirmed they have found Sergiy a new host as of Monday ( August 7). In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said: "[Person's full name] arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme on 14th February 2023. We were notified of his arrival by central government. Everyone that arrives in Ealing VIA the Homes for Ukraine scheme gets contacted by the council so that the property can be assessed and the necessary checks carried out regarding the suitability of the housing and the host. However, [Person's full name] and his host never responded to letters and emails from the council.
"In July 2023, [Person's full name] made a homelessness application, saying he could no longer stay with his host. The council immediately began seeking a new host for [Person's full name] and he accepted a tenancy in the Borough as of today. We are pleased that we could support [Person's full name] in finding alternative accommodation after the relationship with the host the government placed him with via Home for Ukraine broke down."
Anfisa said she struggled to find a place to rent which is suitable for her and her dogs (Anfisa Vlasova/Facebook)Last year, a refugee and her four dogs who fled from the eastern city of Kharkiv was left in turmoil after the six-month sponsorship with her host family in Oxfordshire had ended.
Anfisa Vlasova, 41, revealed that her "peace" was short-lived after a hosting agreement with a second household broke down. The animal lover became homeless in Berkshire and explained she had to move into a small tent. She told ITV earlier this year: “I am completely broken from inside. I feel horrible and hopeless and I am struggling because I don’t know what else I can do to find accommodation.
"It’s like a vicious circle and I can’t find way out. I keep searching and searching to find somewhere to live. My main message is I am not alone - thousands of Ukrainians are facing these problems - so the government needs to get involved and change their policy."
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