The Housing & Property Committee meeting (Wednesday, 6 November 2024) spotlighted Highland Council’s ongoing dedication to supporting national resettlement and humanitarian efforts.
Vice Chair of the Housing & Property Committee, Councillor Sarah Atkin, expressed pride in the Council’s work, highlighting that Highland has a well-established record of welcoming refugees and displaced persons who have been granted the legal right to live, work, and claim essential services here.
The Council’s cross-service team has professionally and compassionately facilitated three major humanitarian programmes, starting with the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which enabled Syrian families to rebuild their lives in Highland.
Additionally, the “Homes for Ukraine” initiative provided vital support to Ukrainian Displaced Persons (UDPs) forced to flee due to the Russian invasion, while the Afghan Relocation and Resettlement Programme (ARAP) most recently supported Afghans who had served the UK Government and faced imminent threats in Afghanistan.
Delivering these programmes has required a sensitive, multi-agency approach to ensure a smooth transition for each person resettled in the region, a challenge the Council’s team has tackled with exceptional dedication.
Councillor Atkin praised the “incredible job” done by the team and noted the warm, compassionate response of the Highland people, whose empathy has offered much-needed comfort to those starting new lives.
Reflecting on the achievements detailed in today’s report, Councillor Atkin said it was humbling to see the resilience of individuals who have rebuilt their lives here and credited the community’s ongoing support.
For more details on the report and progress made, see the full report in Item 16 on the Highland Council website
