Afghan refugees in Calcot Best Western hotel moving to another temporary accommodation as hotel closes
Afghan refugees staying in the Best Western Hotel in Calcot are being moved on to more temporary accommodation.
West Berkshire Council told Newbury Today that the hotel is closing this week.
Their last day to leave the hotel is today (Thursday).
The district council said it is working with the Home Office to ensure a smooth transition of the Afghan evacuees.
It was hoped that they would be moved on to permanent housing but delays and complications means that can’t happen yet.
This move to permanent accommodation is a part of two resettlement schemes for Afghans living in UK hotels introduced by the Government in late March.
These are the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Calcot Hotel has not itself confirmed the closure and says it cannot comment on anything relating to any guest of the hotel at any time.
The Home Office said that use of temporary bridging accommodation has ensured that all Afghans have been housed safely from the moment they arrived.
But it says this is unsuitable for children who are adjusting to their new life and schools, does not support individuals to enter the world of work.
It also holds people back from putting down roots in communities.
In Calcot, Afghan refugees aren’t all being moved to permanent accommodation because it is not yet available.
These evacuees will again be moving to temporary accommodation elsewhere until permanent homes are found.
A West Berkshire Council spokesperson said: “Over the past two years the Home Office has been using a hotel in West Berkshire to house Afghan evacuees.
“During this time we have been supporting them in providing the care and support needed to help our Afghan guests them settle in to life in West Berkshire and are proud to have done so.
“The hotel will be closing this week and we are liaising with the Home Office to ensure a smooth transition to their next accommodation.
“We also continue to be grateful for the warm welcome, generosity and support which the local community has provided and which has made their stay in West Berkshire easier at what has been a difficult time in their lives.”
The evacuees have been supported by the Refugee Support Group in Reading (RSG).
A RSG spokesperson said: “Refugee Support Group caseworkers are working closely with the Home Office liaison officers and West Berks Council officers to ensure all families are supported in temporary accommodation until permanent accommodation becomes available.”
This scheme is different to what asylum seekers at Regency Park Hotel in Thatcham are receiving – with the latter awaiting Leave to Remain approval which will mean they are no longer asylum seekers – allowing them to move on, find their own homes and work.
