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<p>In 2021, the UK Government undertook the biggest and fastest emergency evacuation
in recent history, helping over 15,000 people to safety from Afghanistan. Since the
end of Op PITTING, we have brought a further c.4,000 Afghans to the UK. Due to the
scale and pace of the evacuation we were not able to source appropriate accommodation
in the normal way, so we have had to use hotels as a temporary measure.</p><p>As of
18 July 2022, we are currently providing temporary accommodation for c.9,500 individuals
resettling in the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) or Afghan
Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), whilst they await permanent accommodation.</p><p>Over
7000 Afghans have already moved or are in the process of being moved into their permanent
accommodation. In addition to the work, we are doing to provide appropriate accommodation
for Afghans, a number of families have, in recent months, taken steps to secure their
own accommodation.</p><p>The cost of accommodating those resetting under ACRS or ARAP,
whilst they await permanent accommodation, is estimated at £1 million a day. The Home
Office works to secure contracts which offer the best value for money, whilst providing
an appropriate level of support to those under its care.</p><p>We do not want to see
Afghan families in temporary accommodation for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
We are therefore working with local authorities across the UK to identify more opportunities
for those being housed in bridging hotels to move into permanent accommodation.</p>
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