The government has launched its “Homes for Ukraine” scheme which will involve people in the UK hosting refugees in their homes. It says it could enable tens of thousands of people fleeing the war in Ukraine to come to the UK.
The scheme will cover Ukrainian refugees who do not have family ties to the UK.
Who can apply to host a Ukrainian refugee?
Anyone in the UK – of any nationality, providing they have at least six months leave to remain in the UK – will be able to apply to host a refugee or refugees through the government website.
You have to be able to host them in your own home or in another property, for at least six months.
Charities, businesses and community groups will also be able to apply.
Those offering to host a refugee will be vetted by the government and Ukrainian applicants will also undergo security checks before they are matched with a host. There will be more detailed guidance on the checks in the coming days.
The government says there will be no cap or upper limit on the number of Ukrainians who can come under the scheme.
Do you have to know the refugee you want to host?
In the “first phase” of the scheme, people will need the name of a Ukrainian individual or family they wish to sponsor.
The government advises them to “get in contact with them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application with all their details and yours”.
This application process will start on 18 March. Refugees with a valid Ukrainian international passport will be able to do it online but those without one will have to go to a Visa Application Centre. These are operating in European countries including those bordering Ukraine such as Poland.
Those who don’t personally know anyone fleeing Ukraine, can register their interest on the government’s website from today.
They are also advised to get in touch with charities, faith groups or local community organisations who are starting to make connections between individuals.
Charities which work in this area include:
- Refugees at Home, a charity connecting refugees and hosts online
- Room for Refugees, which has previously settled unaccompanied child refugees with families in the UK
- Shelter 4 Ukraine, a Ukrainian-run service which registers hosts and refugees
- Reset, which has run a community sponsorship scheme for refugees since 2018
How will the scheme be funded?
Households in the UK will be offered a tax-free payment of £350 a month to open their homes to refugees, regardless of how many individuals they are offering to accommodate.
It will be limited to one payment per residential address. It will be paid to sponsors for up to 12 months.
The government website says hosts “will not be expected to cover the costs of food and living expenses (although you may wish to offer this yourself)”.
Local authorities will also receive £10,500 in extra funding per refugee for support services, with more available for children of school age.
There will be more details on the role of local councils in providing wider support in the coming days.
What rights will the refugees have?
Any Ukrainian national, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, who was resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022, will be able to apply for the scheme.
Those who are granted a visa under the scheme will be eligible to work, access state benefits and public services in the UK for three years.
Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and Morrisons are among UK retailers who have offered to employ Ukrainian refugees.
The government has also said it will look at options to provide support to Ukrainian nationals who want to come to the UK with their pets.
War in Ukraine: More coverage
