A SILENT vigil in solidarity with refugees will be held at the Buttercross in Winchester on Saturday February 18 from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
It is being organised by the Winchester Quaker Peace and Justice Group.
Meanwhile five refugee families will have moved into Winchester by the end of this month, the Chronicle can reveal.
It is understood they will be living in private rented accommodation instead of council housing.
It comes after the city council said last year that they will do their bit to help refugees fleeing from war-torn Syria – amid the refugee crisis last year.
Last year, former council leader Stephen Godfrey said: “Winchester has a proud track-record of helping people in need – the Zimbabwe refugee crisis is one example.
“We are waiting to hear what Government is asking of local authorities, but we are already gearing up to work with colleagues at Hampshire County Council, registered housing providers and private landlords.”
At the Winchester cabinet housing committee, city councillor Ian Tait asked whether the refugees would be housed in council accommodation.
Chief housing officer at Winchester City Council, Richard Botham said: “None are in council accommodation they are in provided rented accommodation, some of them have accepted them on a lower than market rate.”
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