Refugee Accommodation Programme – abbreviations glossary

Abbreviation	Meaning	Explanation
ACRS	Afghan Citizens Relocation Scheme	A scheme prioritising: · those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law · vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+)
ARAP	Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy	A scheme for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles and may include an offer of relocation to the UK for those deemed eligible by the Ministry of Defence and who are deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office.
BAU	Business as Usual
B&B	Bed and breakfast
BNO	British National (Overseas)	Someone who was a British overseas territories citizen by connection with Hong Kong was able to register as a British national (overseas) before 1 July 1997.
CLO	Community Liaison Officer	An officer employed by the Council to work supporting Homes for Ukraine and other refugee and asylum schemes.
DLUHC	Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities	A ministerial Department responsible for housing.
EIA	Equality Impact Assessment	An assessment carried out by a public authority prior to implementing policies with a view to predicting their impact on equality.
EPC	Energy Performance Certificate	A legally required certificate containing information about a home’s energy use and typical energy costs.  The certificate is required for all such properties being marketed for sale or rent.
ESOL	English for Speakers of Other Languages	Courses in English language for non-native speakers.
FYOA	Find Your Own Accommodation	The need for Afghan refugees currently housed in hotels to find their own accommodation if they do not receive an allocated property.
GDL	Grant Determination Letter	Letter confirming of the annual payment for each year.
HA85	Housing Act 1985	Primary UK legislation to consolidate the Housing Acts.
HO	Home Office	The ministerial department responsible for immigration.
HoS	Head of Service	The head of one of the council’s business streams.
HfU	Homes for Ukraine	A sponsorship scheme that allows people and organisations in the UK to offer Ukrainians fleeing war  home.
IFRS16	International Financial Reporting Standard	An international standard for lease accounting.
LA	Local Authority	A local council
LAHF	Local Authority Housing Fund	A capital fund that supports local authorities in England to obtain housing for those who are unable to find settled accommodation on resettlement schemes.
LES	Locally Engaged Staff Ex Gratia Scheme	A scheme originating on 2014  to provide funding to local authorities to support resettled Afghan staff locally engaged by the British Armed Forces and the UK Government in Afghanistan
LHA	Local Housing Allowance	A rental rate based on private market rents within an area where a person might reasonably be expected to live.
LSVT	Large-Scale Voluntary Transfer	A transfer of council housing to a housing association.
MI	Management Information required under MoU with DLUHC.	A reporting requirement set out by DLUHC.
MoD	Ministry of Defence	A ministerial department offering leases on accommodation held for service families.
MoS	Minister of State
MoU	Memorandum of Understanding	A document describing the outlines of the LAHF agreement between the council and DLUHC.
MTFP	Medium Term Financial Plan	The Council’s key financial planning document and covers a rolling five year period. It is a living document which provides a reference point for corporate decision making and ensures that the Council is able to optimise the balance between its financial resources and delivery of its priorities as set out in the Corporate Plan.
NHS	National Health Service	The public health provider in the UK.
PSED	Public Sector Equality Duty	A duty imposed on public authorities to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
RAG	Red, amber, green	Traffic light rating system to monitor progress of a programme.
RH	Refugee Housing	Housing for refugees.
RSH	Regulator for Social Housing	The regulator for providers of social housing in England.
SDLT	Stamp Duty Land Tax	A tax paid on property purchases.
SFA	Service Family Accommodation	MOD held property available for service families.
SODC	South Oxfordshire District Council
SRO	Senior Reporting Officer	Officer within DLUHC to whom management information reports are made.
TA	Temporary Accommodation	Accommodation provided on a temporary basis by local authorities to those for whom it has a duty to house and who have become homeless.
UC	Universal Credit	A social security payment for people over 18 but under state pension age who are on a low income or out of work.
UKRS	UK Settlement Scheme	The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) was launched on 25 February 2021, replacing the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme (VCRS).
VCS	Voluntary and Community Sector	Organisations which serve the community.
VEAT	Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice	A notice published when a contracting authority chooses a different or non-compliant procurement.
VWHDC	Vale of White Horse District Council