A Dundee businessman stands ready to give up rooms in his five-bedroom Perth Road house to Ukrainian refugees.
Jim Duffy is calling on Dundee City Council and community groups to organise a register of people looking to house Ukrainians fleeing war.
There have been reports of people in Berlin waiting in the city’s train station to offer accommodation to refugees.
Mr Duffy wants Dundee to be ready to house refugees arriving and is offering rooms in his own home.
‘A lot of us have extra rooms’
He said: “It’s just me and my wife in our house and we have plenty of room.
“I’m watching this displacement of millions of people and want to help. You can guarantee a proportion of refugees will come to Scotland.
“I know a lot of councils are already struggling with the number of houses they have available.
“But there are lots of people in Dundee with extra rooms.”
Mr Duffy is best-known as co-founder of Entrepreneurial Spark, a business accelerator programme. He received an MBE for his services to the business community.
He said he and his wife Lucy-Rose could offer one or two bedrooms and a private sitting room in his home.
And he is sure other people in the city would also be prepared to give some of their space to refugees.
“We could end up with 10 or 15 people in Dundee saying look here’s a room,” he said.
“It might inspire other local authorities to take action too.
“I’d really like the local authority or a community group to co-ordinate it. I want to make sure my house is on the list for people arriving.”
Council leader ‘overwhelmed’ by support to Ukrainian refugees
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said several people had approached him to offer rooms.
He said the council was “exploring every avenue” through COSLA and Scottish Government and await the Home Office and UK Government to give clarity.
He said: “Dundee stands ready to support those affected by the horrendous situation in Ukraine, in any way that we can.
“We have always been an outward looking city and one with a huge heart. I have been overwhelmed by the offers that we have received so far.
“It’s amazing that so many people have been in contact to offer rooms within their own homes.
“I’ve also been in discussions with Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, local charities and council officers around coordination and organisation for support and donations. The donations and kindness keeps coming.”
UK Government plans for Ukrainian refugees
The UK Government has been criticised for granting just 50 visas by Sunday under a scheme for refugees with family links to the UK.
Mr Alexander said this level of support was “clearly not acceptable”.
However, a UK Government spokesman said it will announce a new scheme this week.
It will allow people, schools or community organisations, can sponsor Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said, like Jim, several of his constituents want to help with accommodation.
He said: “This offer is typical of the kindness and generosity of folk in Dundee. I’ve already had other constituents in touch with similar offers.
“Dundee City Council has indicated to COSLA its willingness to support Ukrainian refugee efforts. The city is ready to play its part.”
A spokesperson for Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action said it could help put people in touch with refugee charities.
