Landlords urged to come forward to support Afghan refugee families in Reading
Local charities in Reading have reissued a plea for private landlords to come forward to help Afghan refugees find somewhere to live.
More than 100 people, mostly children, are in quarantine at a hotel in Reading, having fled from Kabul in August.
Supporters in the town say they've been inundated with donations of clothes and shoes, but now accommodation is the key issue.
Parisa Sahraei is among those supporting Afghan families in Reading.
She came to Britain as a refugee more than a decade ago - and has been to see some of the refugees who've been put up at a hotel.
"They feel happy but they say when we remember our families over there," she said. "One lady said she cried for a whole week because of my family and belongings and the memories of my country."
There were chaotic scenes in Kabul back in August as Afghans scrambled to board planes and escape from the Taliban.
Many were left their homeland with only the clothes they were standing up in, landing at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire before being sent to hotels across the country.
Under the terms of the government's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizen's Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), local authorities are being encouraged to support up to 10 Afghan families.
And local authorities in turn are asking private landlords to offer up accommodation, as they are more likely to have self contained properties, meaning a family would have to share.
Dr Krish Kandiah, from Berkshire-based Afghan Welcome, is one of the groups reiterating the need for homes for the refugees.
"What a wonderful way that a landlord can make a difference to a family that has been through incredible trauma by giving them a safe space to live so they might rebuild their lives."An open letter sent by Afghan Welcome was signed by dozens of bishops, church and community leaders.
Churches in Reading too are working together to try and create a community for refugees.
Laura Eades, from Transform Reading, said: "They need people who are prepared to accept them and welcome and befriend them and treat like them anyone else who has gone through a difficult time."
Reading Borough Council has already committed to supporting 10 families under the ARAP scheme.
Cllr Jason Brock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "We are immensely proud of our City of Sanctuary status and have experience of welcoming those seeking asylum to our town.
"We want those fleeing violence and persecution to feel safe and secure in our town and are committed to welcoming and integrating refugees into our communities and our culture."