Afghan interpreter tells how he was rejected by 64 landlords in one month as hotel eviction deadline looms
A former Afghan interpreter has told how he has been refused by 64 landlords in just one month as the Government pushes ahead with plans to end hotel stays for those evacuated to the UK following their work with the British Armed Forces and soldiers in the Afghan Army in Afghanistan.
Many former Afghan interpreters face having to leave their taxpayer-funded hotel accommodation as the Government tries to encourage them into their own homes but this has not been straightforward for many amid a housing crisis.
There are almost 50 hotels across the UK housing Afghans who were evacuated to Britain after the Taliban took back control of the country, and while some have found alternative housing, others are finding they are repeatedly turned down by private landlords.
Shah Jahan, one former interpreter with British Forces who arrived in the UK with his young family after spending almost a year in hiding from the Taliban, has told Forces News how he has spent months house hunting but cannot find landlords who are prepared to rent a home to him and his family.
Shah said: "It's been six months from now, continuously for six months.
"It's been so difficult, we've been trying to find housing, and we've been going for viewings, but unfortunately, the main reason we cannot find a house yet is just because the landlords are not accepting us, and they are not interested to give us a property to rent."
He added: "I'm pretty sure I can tell you, in one month, I have been refused by 64 landlords."
In the video above, Forces News journalist Rosie Laydon reports on those former Afghan interpreters facing a housing crisis and speaks to others who have told of facing similar difficulties in finding a landlord willing to accept them.
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