Straw said additional funds would be made available to local authorities to cover these costs and confirmed that refugees would be entitled to receive Housing Benefit.
His announcement follows extensive preparations in eleven reception areas around the country, and offers of 3,000 bedspaces by councils (Housing Today, issue 131).
But doubts have been raised over whether there will be enough move on accommodation to house the latest influx.
One source told Housing Today there were concerns that the government had not thought this through: "There are concerns there hasn't been enough planning. We could see something like what happened to the Vietnamese Boat people - refugees kept in holding camps because there isn't anywhere for them to move to."
Refugee Council chief executive Nick Hardwick played down these concerns. He said: "We are already working closely with local authorities and the Home Office to make sure we can rapidly increase numbers of refugees arriving in the UK."
"This is going to be a challenging time for all involved. We need to make sure we maintain good standards of accomodation and services we have been able to offer those who have recently arrived.
"If we all pull together we ought to be able to deal with refugees ariving here efficiently and without fuss."
Local Government Association project leader Mike Boyle said between 10,000 and 20,000 Kosovar refugees had been expected anyway: "This is a tiny number of refugees, not a huge additional figure. What is different is that these people are being evacuated. They are being granted extended leave to remain which means they will automatically recieve Housing Benefit."
Source
Housing Today
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