Homes for Ukraine allows people to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes for a minimum of six months. We run a bespoke matching service to support this.
Building relationships before you apply for a visa
Although you may have met the people that you want to sponsor, if you do not know them personally, it is important that you speak to them on the phone to make sure that both you and the person you want to sponsor are making an informed decision to move forward with this programme.
We know that having these initial conversations can be daunting, so we have made a quick guide to help you think about what kind of things to discuss and ask.
If it is possible, we strongly recommend that these initial calls take place via video. If your guest does not speak English, or has limited English, navigating these conversations will be more complicated. For some conversations, you can use apps like Google Translate or Say Hi – be sure to have a look at our advice on how to use these!
It is still very important to make sure you have at least a voice call, but preferably a video call, with your guests as well. It won’t be perfect, but it will at least help you start to build the foundation of your relationship and even show them around your home. You can watch our video on modifying your speech, which can help your guests understand you more easily.
Most translation apps also do voice translation, where you can speak into the app and it will speak back to your guest in their native language. If you have a few devices to work with, you will be able to have a good level of conversation. Some tips for using translation apps are:
- Be sure to use simple, straightforward language.
- Avoid using acronyms – they will not translate.
- Be mindful of regional/UK specific language. There are 20 different ways to say “bread roll” in the UK! And the word, “bungalow” usually translates to mean something such as holiday home. Instead, use “single story home”.
You may find that following your conversation, you do not feel comfortable to sponsor this person, or vice versa. Give one another space to make this decision and be honest if you feel that this Ukrainian individual(s) will not settle well where you live. Do not leave them uncertain and be clear if this is the case so that they can find another sponsor. If they choose not to take up your offer of sponsoring them, then do respect their decision.
You can signpost them to Reset’s matching site.
How does the Homes for Ukraine process work?
If you know a Ukrainian person who is currently not in the UK, then you or your future guest can directly apply for a visa with yourself listed as the named sponsor. If you do not know someone, but would like to be matched with a refugee, you can apply through our matching services. Our services include advice, guidance, and training.
Once the visa application has been submitted, the UK Government will inform your Local Authority that an application has been made. The Local Authority will be in contact with you to arrange a home visit and carry out their checks.
The Home Office will approve the visa after background and eligibility checks are done on the refugees. Once the visa application is approved, they will provide the refugee with a ‘permission to enter’ letter for those outside the UK. This means the person being sponsored will be able to enter the UK. The guest or sponsor is responsible for travel arrangements and associated costs. Check out our resource on free/discounted travel for Ukrainians in the UK.
Throughout the six months that you sponsor a Ukrainian in the UK, your Local Authority will be in close contact with you as they provide the wrap-around support, meaning they will support your guest in signing up to the relevant services. Some Local Authorities offer more support, or different forms of support, than others. You can check your Local Authority’s website to find out how they are supporting Ukrainians through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. If you are unsure of who your Local Authority is, then you can find them here.
If you are unable to continue providing accommodation after six months, you should give as much notice as possible and no less than two months’ notice to the people you sponsor. This allows your guests or the Local Authority enough time to find onward accommodation. If you are unsure how to start this conversation, you can view our advice to help you through the process.
Rematching
What happens when things go wrong?
Despite everyone’s best effort, sometimes things go wrong. Often a chat and a cup of tea can resolve many problems, but there are occasions where the problems may feel insurmountable. If your relationship with your guest has broken down, you must let your Local Authority know.
Local Authorities have been mandated by the Government to ‘rematch’ refugees if a relationship has broken down or in case of an emergency. It is your Local Authority who will determine whether a rematch is required. Reset does not participate in non-emergency rematching at present.
If the breakdown is due to any illegal or harmful activity, you should inform the police. Your Local Authority should then work to find a new sponsor for your guests.
Participating in rematching
Your Local Authority may approach you to host a refugee who has left their initial sponsor. If you are approached, you should think about what you need to know before you take on hosting the guest. You could consider the following questions:
- Through which visa route did they travel to the UK? If they came on a family visa, you cannot usually claim government assistance. Your Local Authority will be able to provide further information on the support they will offer you.
- Why did the relationship break down? What are their needs?
- If you are using social media and are asked to host a family who is already in the UK, we recommend you connect with your Local Authority first.
If you do agree to consider a ‘rematch’, we would advise that you ask to meet the guests first, set out your expectations, and discuss boundaries.
If you have decided to work with your Local Authority to participate in their rematching scheme and are no longer available to be matched to those outside of the UK through Reset, we would ask that you close your matching profile on Reset’s matching service. If we think you are available, we will be matching you to Ukrainians wishing to find safety here, which may result in giving them false hope of being sponsored. You can close your matching profile via our matching platform, or by emailing us at [email protected] to do this for you.
Preparing yourself with training and support
There is so much to learn and share about the Homes for Ukraine programme. If you are interested in hosting, but not sure if hosting is right for you, please join our monthly ‘Is hosting right for you?’ session to find out more about the process and what it entails. You can register for this session here.
If you are using Reset’s matching service, you will be asked to complete a mandatory E-learning, which details our process and how we will work with you and those you welcome. You will have access to this after registering for our service.
There is matching taking place through many organisations, people, and connections to welcome Ukrainians to the UK. We think it is important for sponsors to be fully prepared, no matter the route they choose to find someone to sponsor. You do not have to use our matching service to attend our trainings, and all who are interested in hosting are welcome to benefit from our specialised training.
Our learnings
We believe that it is important to share what we are learning through Homes for Ukraine. You can read about what we are seeing and hearing in a series of posts on our website.
Read what we have learnt from working with the refugees using our matching service, and what we know about working with sponsors.
Ongoing support
Community-led welcome is about coming together to provide a welcome to newcomers in your area. Make sure you research the support groups that exist in your area to find out what is available locally and build great relationships with your Local Authority, who are responsible for the wrap-around support for the person or people you support through Homes for Ukraine.
Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Toolkit
It is incredible that you have decided to support people fleeing Ukraine. Welcoming refugees into your home is not a small undertaking, nor something you should go into without seriously considering what this might mean for you and those you live with.
There is so much to think about when becoming a sponsor, from understanding trauma to building healthy boundaries for you and your guest. We encourage you to have a look through our Homes for Ukraine website to make sure you feel prepared and comfortable on your sponsor journey.
In this toolkit, you will find resources that outline the support you might need to provide if you are welcoming refugees into your home.
Contents
How does the Homes for Ukraine process work?
Useful Information for Sponsors
While this toolkit is not designed for those who have arrived through the Ukraine family visa scheme, it may contain useful information for those welcoming through this scheme.
To keep up to date with any potential changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, you should ensure that you are using information from gov.uk. We aim to keep our materials up to date as the programme develops.
Supporting your guests
It is important that you feel prepared to support your guests when they arrive. Even with support from your Local Authority and community, your guests will most likely look to you for their point of contact for any advice, guidance, or support they may need, especially in the first few months.
Below you will find links to resources to assist you in planning the support that you will offer to your guests and important things to think about around the topics of empowerment, boundaries, and safeguarding.
Empowerment, power imbalance, and boundaries
It is important to remember how much power you will be holding in the relationship with your guests, and equally how you can be a source of empowerment for them. You are essentially their landlord, their supporter, and initially you may be the only person they have to talk to in the entire country. Read through our guide to understand how to help those you welcome feel confident and able to navigate life in a new country.
Preparing your property
You may be unsure how to prepare your property for when your guests arrive. You can read through our advice to make sure that your property is ready to welcome.
Financial matters
Financial matters under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can be confusing. We have made this resource to help you get a better idea of finances related to the scheme. For most people, talking about financial matters can be uncomfortable and daunting, especially with new guests whom you want to make feel welcome. We encourage hosts to be as open as possible regarding financial matters which relate to the Homes for Ukraine scheme to avoid awkward and uncomfortable situations in your household.
Safeguarding
We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and one another from harm. Your Local Authority will have a safeguarding board and when you meet, you should make sure that you ask them how you can report a safeguarding concern relating to the person you are sponsoring, should it be needed. Your role is not to take on the job of statutory services, but we all have a duty to report when there are concerns about the welfare of children or vulnerable adults and take action to address them where appropriate. Read more here.
Integration support
When your guest arrives, you may need to help them in several areas of support. Be mindful where your responsibility ends, and the Local Authority’s responsibility begins. If you are in doubt, check with your Local Authority. Always remember the empowerment approach when helping your guest to understand different systems in the UK; not simply just doing something for someone, but teaching them how they can do it themselves.
Planning for the end of your support
Thinking about the end of your support is one of the first things we encourage all hosts to do when planning their support for refugees. It may feel strange to start thinking about the end of your support offer before a guest even arrives, but planning for the end of your support is just as important as planning for the initial welcome. Check out our advice and guidance on this topic to make sure you feel prepared before your guests arrive.
Understanding the Homes for Ukraine Programme
We recommend that you sign up for updates from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to stay up to date with changes to the scheme.
The UK Government is asking people to sponsor Ukrainians, to come to the UK and offer them accommodation for a minimum of a six-month period. The accommodation can either be a room in the sponsor’s home, or a self-contained property.
You cannot charge rent for the first six months of hosting. After the initial six months period, if you are providing a self-contained accommodation for which they have a tenancy agreement, they may be eligible for the housing benefit part of their social welfare benefits (Universal Credit) and will be able to pay rent at the local housing allowance rate. You should note that the housing benefit portion of Universal Credit falls short of most market-rate rental costs.
Those who sponsor will be eligible for thank you payments via their Local Authority.
Who is eligible to be sponsored?
Those applying to be sponsored to the UK must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, who:
- Has been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1st January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine).
- Is currently outside the UK.
- Have a UK-based sponsor who meets the eligibility criteria.
The UK Government considers an immediate family member to be:
- A spouse or civil partner.
- An unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years).
- A child who is under 18.
- A parent (if you are under 18).
- Fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner.
The person/people being sponsored will not have refugee status in the UK, instead, they will have 18 months leave to remain. They will be eligible to access public funds, healthcare and education, and those of working age will be permitted to work.
Please see the Government’s updated guidance on visa applications here.
Who is eligible to sponsor?
You must be a British or an Irish citizen or have settled status in the UK (which means having the right to live in the UK permanently). You must have a place for your guests to stay, which could be a spare room or separate property. It cannot be a bed in a shared living space.
What do I need to provide as a sponsor?
Sponsors must provide accommodation to an individual or family for a minimum of six months. You will also need to provide a welcome to your area. Your Local Authority will be responsible for the wrap-around support for the people you sponsor, but you should expect to provide some support yourself.
The accommodation you provide will need to be safe for your guests. The UK Government states:
“All accommodation will be different and while there is no set expectation, your accommodation needs to be free from serious health and safety hazards. You should make sure your home is safe for your guests and that it is in a suitable condition.
You should also consider how many people you can accommodate so they have sufficient space. Two people should not be in one room unless they are: adult cohabiting partners; a parent and child; two siblings of the same gender if aged over 10; two siblings regardless of gender if aged under 10. Individuals who did not previously know each other should not be given the same room.”
The Government has further guidance available on accommodation requirements here.
You should expect a visit and housing inspection from your Local Authority prior to, or shortly after, the arrival of your guests.
Is this programme right for you?
It is important that you make an informed decision to become a sponsor, so we encourage you to look through this toolkit and check our Homes for Ukraine website for more advice before you commit to becoming a sponsor.
Remember that there are lots of ways in which you can support refugees and ensure communities welcome newcomers. You might wish to consider getting involved in Community Sponsorship, connect with your local City of Sanctuary group, or find ways to campaign to show that those who are displaced from their homes are welcome here.
Working with your Local Authority
Your Local Authority will be providing wrap-around support for the people you sponsor. It may be that your guests do not know who the Local Authority is, or what their role is in supporting them. It is good to know exactly what your Local Authority is providing, and to share this with your guests. Their support could include registering children in school, signing up for benefits, and providing access to English language lessons. You can read the guidance issued here:
Each Local Authority will receive a tariff of £5,900 per person sponsored to their area to provide support. Your Local Authority is responsible for facilitating the thank you payments to sponsors, and the £200 initial cash payment for each refugee arriving in the UK to help them cover costs while they wait for their benefits to be processed. You can find more about thank you payments here. Local Authorities will decide themselves how they will deliver their casework support to those who arrive. They will also be responsible for carrying out checks on sponsors. Where children are sponsored within a family unit, the Local Authority will be able to claim funding for education for 2-18 year olds.
Please keep in mind that if something goes wrong once your guests arrive, you should speak to your Local Authority immediately. For any dangerous or emergency issues, you should call the police.
Northern Ireland
There is further advice for Northern Ireland Ukraine crisis | nidirect. We have been asked by the Northern Ireland Executive on 25 May 2022 to specify the following:
“Please note the £350 payment in Northern Ireland is not processed via local council but instead via the NI Government. You will be eligible to apply for the £350 payments once an initial home visit confirms the standard of your accommodation is complete, Access NI and safeguarding checks have been completed, and it is confirmed that your guest has arrived safely. Sponsors will be contacted when it is confirmed all checks are completed with details on how to apply for the payment. This payment will be made monthly in arrears based on the date your Ukrainian guest(s) arrival.’
Vetting from your Local Authority
It is important to establish a good relationship with your Local Authority. They will be in contact with you once your guest’s visa application has been received by the Home Office. Take time to understand the demands and pressures they are under in offering their support.
Be prepared to answer questions in relation to the support you might be offering the people you sponsor. This might feel a little invasive, but it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to ensure everyone welcomed is safe. You can discuss how you can work as a partnership.
When you meet with your Local Authority, ensure that you ask them about what to do if things do not go well, or you, or the people you support, are not comfortable. Having open and honest conversations at the outset will make things easier if things do not go as planned. You may also want to ask what other local support or services are available for your guests.
Finding local support
We know from our work in Community Sponsorship that the best welcome is created when many people are involved. As you are awaiting to be matched to someone, or a visa to be processed, start researching any organisations or services that might be of interest to someone who is new to the country. Do not overwhelm new arrivals with information, but instead be ready to offer signposting to activities that might be of interest to them.
Find charities who support new arrivals locally, from different refugee backgrounds, and search local social media sites. Networking in your local community will be crucial. Get out there and ask what is happening!
Make sure people know what you are hoping to achieve and be open to working with others. You might find that some organisations set up to support refugees or those seeking asylum are not able to assist, so find others who may be willing to help. For example, could your immediate neighbours offer to provide some local orientation for when your guests arrive?
Helping your guests to explore the local area is a key activity for sponsors. We ask that you be guided by what the newcomers would like to see and do, but you will need to be mindful that they are not going to know what is available. If you feel comfortable, share the things you enjoy doing locally. At a minimum, we suggest showing:
- Local shops – both supermarkets and smaller local shops. Talk through how you get best value for money (e.g. Waitrose/Booths vs Asda/Aldi/Lidl), any customs (e.g. using self-service check outs and avoiding the carrier bag charge). It may be that the newcomers wish to access culturally appropriate food and products; if you don’t know where these shops are locally, now is the time to find out! The cost of produce in the UK might come as a surprise so be ready to talk through budget saving tips.
- Organise a town or city tour. This will help you to find out what is important and of interest to the welcomed guest, and from this you can build the rest of your support. Keep in mind that asking, ‘what would you like to do?’ is not necessarily helpful, as the newcomers will not know what there is to do locally. Remember that simply going out for a coffee and chatting is a fantastic way to get to know people.
- Community services – places of worship, community centres, local leisure activities, healthcare centres, libraries, and banks. Do not forget to ask what interests the newcomers have that they might like to share.
- Keep in mind that your guests are likely to be on a low income initially, so it is best to keep the activities you invite them to at a low or free cost.
Find local charities:
- England and Wales: GOV.UK charity register search
- Northern Ireland: The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland charity search
- Scotland: OSCR Scottish Charity register search
- Ukrainian Association of Great Britain
What’s next?