A Ukrainian mother residing in a small hostel room with her son in the Vale of Glamorgan has shared her feelings of stress and frustration due to ongoing delays in relocating to new accommodation. Kateryna Gorodnycha, who fled from Kyiv with her son in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, has been eagerly awaiting news on the completion of the new emergency housing site at Llantwit Major. The site, set to house 90 temporary modular units for Ukrainian refugees, was supposed to start accommodating people by the end of the summer, according to Vale of Glamorgan Council. Unfortunately, families like Kateryna and her 15-year-old son, Timur, are still waiting for their move.
Kateryna expressed her frustration at the situation, revealing that she has been given different completion dates over the past year. Although she was recently informed that they would be able to move into their new place in Llantwit Major in about two weeks, the constant delays have taken a toll on her mental well-being. Since arriving in the UK in 2022, Kateryna and Timur have been staying in a hostel in Barry, provided by the council for families fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The small room they occupy has been described as a challenging living space, with just one room for all their needs, including a fridge, microwave, and some personal furniture.
The stress of not knowing when they will have a permanent home has been mounting, especially as the delays in moving into the new accommodation have persisted. Kateryna highlighted the impact on her daily life, such as the difficulty in supporting her son’s education without a proper study space. The situation has been exacerbated by the presence of their cats, which has made finding rented accommodation even more challenging for the family.
Despite the setbacks, Kateryna remains hopeful for a resolution soon. The temporary accommodation site at Llantwit Major, initially approved through permitted development rights, has faced backlash from some residents for its proximity to existing homes. Vale of Glamorgan Council clarified that the delay in moving residents into the site was primarily due to one of the companies providing the modular homes going insolvent. They reassured that the site is expected to be ready for use in the coming weeks.
Through these challenges, Kateryna continues to advocate for a stable living situation for her family, emphasizing the importance of having a place to call home and make future plans. While uncertainties remain, she remains grateful for the support received and looks forward to a positive outcome as they await their new accommodation in Llantwit Major.