Homes for Ukraine: how to become a host

What is the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

This scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the UK. Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member.

The Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (HFU) allows Ukrainians with no ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals so that they can find safety in another country and receive accommodation and support.

The HFU is a government-run scheme and UK residents can offer self-contained properties or a spare room to people from Ukraine who are fleeing the war.

How to become a host

To host you will need to:

• be 18 years old or over
• a UK or Irish citizen
• be able to offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months

In appreciation, you will receive a monthly thank you payment (optional) if you are able to host a Ukrainian person or family. This includes:

• £350 a month for the first 12 months that your guest is staying with you or in your accommodation
• £500 a month for the rest of their Homes for Ukraine visa permission - your guest must have been in the UK and part of this scheme for more than 12 months

To become a host, register your interest on GOV.UK

If you want to match with someone in Ukraine

If you wish to match with someone in Ukraine with a view to hosting them you can through USPUK.

Become a host through the USPUK website

If you want to sponsor a person or family to apply for a visa

If you are a sponsor applying on behalf of the applicant, you should read the guidance on GOV.UK.

What happens after you register your interest

Once the visa application has been submitted UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will forward limited information to the Cumberland Resettlement Service, so we are able to begin pre arrival checks. We will contact you to arrange a home visit to view the accommodation you wish to provide your guest (Ukrainians) and arrange for an enhanced DBS check.

Your Case Officer will assist you with the DBS process, please note all residents in the accommodation where you intend to Host Ukrainians who are 18 years or above will require an enhanced DBS check.

There is no cost to you for the enhanced DBS check.

As part of the application process, local authorities are required to carry out the initial assessment to make sure that the proposed arrangements are suitable for both the host and the Ukrainian guests.

During this time, you will be able to match with your potential Ukrainian guests, who will then apply for a visa. They will not arrive until all the above checks are completed.

It may be that a family or individual who is already here needs accommodation and support. If you wish to assist sooner than awaiting a match, then contact the Resettlement Service by email.

Email: homesforukraine@cumbria.gov.uk

When you have matched with your guests or guest

We would suggest regular contact with your Ukrainian guests before they arrive, either through FaceTime, Zoom or text, this will help to get to know each other and opportunity to discuss the hosting arrangement, for example, what house rules are in place.

How we will support you

A Resettlement Case Officer will be assigned to support you and your guests once they arrive, along with a Ukrainian Translator/interpreter.

In general terms the Case Officer will support you and your guest’s providing advice and guidance on registering with the Department of Work and Pensions, General Practitioners, education including English Speaking for Other Languages (ESOL).

Practical support will also be provided in assisting your guests to move on into independent living following a minimum of six months hosting. This does not mean they have to move, we would very much encourage you to continue your hosting arrangement.

What happens after your guest or guests arrive

Once your guests have arrived at your accommodation, you should confirm their arrival by sending us an email:

Email: homesforukraine@cumbria.gov.uk

Your Case Officer will then book another home visit, where they will provide £200 welcome voucher per Ukrainian guest, this can be cashed at your nearest Post Office branch.

What your guest or guests are entitled to

You will not be able to charge rent to your guests. You are also not required to provide meals for your Ukrainian guests, but you can if you like.

Your Ukrainian guest will be able to apply for Universal Credit and/or other benefits, enrol in
education and seek employment.

Your Case Officer will be able to provide assistance with this.

If your guest or guests travel abroad for more than four weeks

If your guest or guests leave your accommodation temporarily for four weeks or more, you need
to inform as soon as possible so that we can suspend your payments until your guests return to your accommodation.

You can do this by contacting your Case Officer directly or sending an email to us.

After your guests return to your accommodation, contact your Case Officer or email us so we can start your host payments again.

For further information about what to do if your guest will temporarily be absent from the
UK, read the guidance on GOV.UK.

If your guest or guests leave your accommodation

If your Ukrainian guests leave the scheme by:

• moving into their own private accommodation (private rent, council housing etc)
• leaving the UK (return to Ukraine or other third countries)

You should contact us as soon as possible so we can stop your host payments. Failure to notify us in a timely manner may result in an overpayment being made to yourself, which would need to be paid back to us in full.