Ukraine Humanitarian Response Welcome Centre

In March 2022, Welsh Government established a series of initial accommodation sites across Wales to accommodate an influx of Ukrainian refugees whom it committed to support, as a “super sponsor”, under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme. As part of this strategy, Welsh Government confirmed a package of funding to enable Cardiff Council to establish the Park Lane ApartHotel as a “Welcome Centre” for an initial six-month period, to allow residents to complete their initial orientation, before moving on to longer-term accommodation. The site was selected after various other options were eliminated due to cost and other practical considerations. Furthermore, due to its city centre location, it provides easy access to key front-line services, including the Job Centre, CAVHIS and Cardiff Central Library Hub, which are an integral part of the initial reception and orientation of newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. In addition, it offers self-catered accommodation, which compliments the Welsh Government aim to promote independence and reduce its spending on catering and other ancillary services. Welsh Government initially committed to sponsor up to 1,000 refugees under this pathway, however, a temporary operational pause on new applications was announced on 10th June 2022, after approximately 2,700 Visas had already been issued. While there has been incredible support at all levels of government for this humanitarian cause, Local Authorities have struggled to provide viable opportunities in both the private rented sector and in individual sponsorship arrangements, so the pace of move-on has slowed significantly. Sites which were stood up in a crisis to provide emergency respite, have become medium-term solutions. As such, on 14th August, Welsh Government confirmed Ministerial approval for a six-month extension to the ApartHotel contract, with funding to cover the full cost of the procurement. In March 2023, Welsh Government unveiled its strategy to close the remaining hotels and welcome centres across Wales, through a phased approach, over the next financial year. Under the closure plans, more cost-effective types of accommodation, such as Welcome Centres and holiday parks, will be retained until later in the scheme. Welsh Government intends to retain the Cardiff Welcome Centre until the end of December 2023 (during Phase 3 of its operation), as an integral part of its closure plans, however, it will not contract directly with the accommodation provider.