A Ukrainian family that has been living in a hotel in Swansea for the past seven months is now at risk of homelessness after being denied social housing.
Olena, 38, and her mother, Kateryna, 69, fled their Kyiv home due to the war and have since been living with Olena’s 13-year-old daughter, Kateryna. The Welsh government informed them in a letter dated February 6 that they must find their own housing and vacate the hotel by March 17.
Olena stated that the situation is “stressful” because they do not know where they will be in a few weeks. In September, she applied for social housing, but was informed that Ukrainians are ineligible and that other options had been denied. They do not know if they will be relocating to a different town or city, nor what this will mean for Kateryna’s education.
Kateryna attended a prestigious secondary school in Kyiv and aspires to attend Oxford or Cambridge, but she fears that relocating will set her back. She takes an hour-long bus ride to reach her current school and has stated that making new friends is difficult for her.
The Welsh government stated that it is collaborating closely with local governments to ensure that people can transition into longer-term housing and continue to feel supported. Swansea Council also stated that they have a team assisting Ukrainian refugees to relocate to more suitable housing.
Olena and Kateryna both expressed a desire to return to Kyiv once the war is over, with Olena stating that she had a “very good life” there that she would never change.
The family is currently in limbo, uncertain of how long they will remain in their hotel room and what their future holds. They have endured much during their time in Wales and are now at risk of becoming homeless without social housing assistance.
