Harlow has become the latest town to provide “bridging” accommodation for Afghan families, with a hotel in the town welcoming its first guests. 

Accommodation at hotels is now set up in Harlow, Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. 

Twenty-two families are being supported in Harlow until suitable, sustainable housing can be found for them. 

The families arrived in the country through having been ‘locally employed staff’ in Afghanistan, or are being supported through the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) which provides protection for people at risk and identified as in need. 

Families have been registered with local GP surgeries, additional needs or requirements are being met through donated items. 

Essex Integration (no profit organisation) is providing integration support to families and are processing benefit claims.  

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council, said: "We expect that these families will slowly be resettled in other areas in the country as suitable permanent accommodation is secured.

"We are working with Essex County Council to provide support and we know our residents and other local organisations will want to help where they can too."

Another hotels in Birchanger Green, Bishop’s Stortford is also providing accommodation for people including Afghan families.  

Councils and local GP surgeries are providing support until families can move on to new locations. 

Last week Essex Local Authorities announced a new task force set up to find homes for Afghan families, with district, borough and city councils already working hard to bring forward the right sort of homes.