Councillors have approved plans to spend £1.2m toward buying properties as part of a nationwide resettlement scheme for Afghan refugees. 

Great Yarmouth Council bosses gave the final stamp of approval for the five new homes, which will be part-funded by the government's Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).

It comes amid fears Afghan asylum seekers are at risk of becoming homeless due to housing shortages across the country.

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Council leader Carl SmithGreat Yarmouth Council leader Carl Smith (Image: Newsquest)

Council leader Carl Smith said: "We are really pleased to be involved with the scheme to provide these new homes.

"As well as helping house Afghan refugees, it will also provide more temporary accommodation in the town for the future."

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The project will cost £1,230,000 with £526,000 of funding to come from the LAHF supported by £704,000 of council borrowing.

The council plans to find five three or four-bedroom homes with officers expecting the property purchases will be completed by March 31, 2024.

It is hoped the homes will provide sustainable housing to people on the Afghan resettlement schemes at risk of homelessness while also reducing the cost of "bridging" accommodation, which has included the use of hotels.

READ MORE: High Court bans use of Great Yarmouth hotels for asylum seekers

Last month, the Local Government Association warned thousands of Afghan individuals and families could be made homeless after being served notice by the Home Office to leave their temporary bridging hotels by the end of August.

It warned this leaves a short time frame for councils to find alternative accommodation in time due to housing shortages.

LGA chairman Shaun Davies said at a conference in July that councils are at a "crisis point" due to combined pressures from government asylum and resettlement schemes.

He added: "We want to work with the government to get this right. Not just in a way that best supports the people arriving in the UK but also tackles the unsustainable pressures on our local services and on our communities.”