Over 200 Ukrainian refugees in Donegal availing of ‘Offer A Home’ scheme

Over 200 Ukrainian people are being housed under the ‘Offer A Home’ programme in Donegal.

At present, there are 203 people being housed at 61 properties allocated as part of the scheme.

Donegal County Council has confirmed that there are over 400 families who are looking for properties. An additional 12 properties are currently out to offer.

Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh raised the matter at the latest meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.

Councillor Kavanagh asked for an update having been approached by a person who was having trouble getting on the scheme.

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Under the ‘Offer a Home’ programme, local authorities are appealing for offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for use as temporary accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine.

Donegal County Council said in a response: “The local authority is the point of contact for owners throughout the offer and assessment process. Owners can expect to be contacted by the council within five working days of making an offer and an assessment of the property will be carried out by an inspector from the council.

“The local authority will keep the owner of the property informed throughout the process and anybody who offers a property through the website will be able to check the status of their offer at any stage through the site.

“Local authorities will also match suitable properties to Ukrainian beneficiaries and can support in agreeing licence agreement and other arrangements.”

Property owners can offer homes at www.OfferAHome.ie or by contacting the council at offerahome@donegalcoco.ie. Aideen Doherty is the scheme manager in Donegal.

“It is worth getting this information out there in case there are people who have something available,” Councillor Kavanagh said.

“There are things to work out between home owner and the people availing around bills, but it is a good scheme and may be suitable to people who have a property.”