A community group is stepping in to help Syrian refugees settle in Haringey amid calls for more action from central and local government.

Tottenham Refugee Alliance (TRA) is a non-faith-based group of Haringey residents looking to apply to the Home Office to become a community sponsor for refugee families under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS).

The SVPRS was set up in 2014 to resettle vulnerable refugee families, with the aim of taking in 20,000 refugees across the UK by 2020.

According to the latest Home Office figures, 10,538 refugees have been resettled through the scheme.

But chairman of TRA Nichola Higgins said: “I think the people that work on this programme all see the response of the government as completely deficient.

“If you compare to what this country did in the second world war, we think it is appalling. We think it is beholden on us to do what little we can.

“I take the view that it is the responsibility of the government, and by taking the burden we are relieving the government of responsibility.”

The TRA plans to find stable accommodation for refugee families and will be responsible for providing it for two years.

It will meet any shortfalls in housing benefit and provide essential items such as kitchen equipment, and funding for wheelchairs for disabled people.

The group is in need of volunteers, including people who can speak Arabic and help families adapt to, and integrate into, British society.

Millions of people have fled Syria since the outbreak of civil war in 2011 following an uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Most have found refuge in nearby countries such as Lebanon, but some have travelled further afield to countries such as the UK.

Under the terms of the SVPRS, it is up to local authorities to determine how many refugees they resettle depending on the availability of accommodation and other factors.

Haringey has so far resettled 11 households, and the council said it is continuing to work with partners to welcome more.

But Lucy Nabijou, coordinator at campaign group Haringey Welcome, was critical of the council’s response.

She said: “We had quite a lot of trouble with the current administration. Initially, they were very reluctant and dismissive of our campaign. It took about 14 months to resettle 10 families.

“Housing is the number one problem – a lack of affordable housing. That creates a bit of a bottle-neck. I think where there is a willingness for councils and communities to come together, solutions can be found.”

Ms Nabijou said a number of councillors had signed up to Haringey Welcome’s pledge to help refugees, and the group hoped to have a better relationship with the next administration.

Haringey Council said it also helps refugees and asylum seekers through the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children scheme, under which it currently has more than 50 children against a target of 43.

It also provides No Recourse to Public Funds support for vulnerable asylum seekers who have a community care need.

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “Haringey has a proud history of welcoming people from all backgrounds to make the borough their home.

“We take our commitment to supporting those fleeing violence and persecution very seriously, which is why we have been working hard with landlords, the voluntary sector and the local community to help refugees settle in Haringey.

“We have already settled more families than our initial commitment and continue to work with partners to welcome more.

“We also support refugees and asylum seekers in a number of other ways, including through our Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children scheme and No Recourse to Public Funds support.

“The main challenge is finding suitable homes, and we have urged any landlords who may be happy to offer housing for the SVRP scheme to get in touch with us.”

The Home Office has also been approached for comment.