Last updated:

4th August 2023

Information for hosts to Ukrainian families (Homes for Ukraine)

This government scheme gives people a chance to come to the UK if they have someone in the UK who is willing to provide a home.

Homes for Ukraine gives individuals, charities, community groups and businesses a chance to offer accommodation and provide a safe home for those forced to escape Ukraine.

There is an expectation those who express an interest will provide a room for a minimum of six months.

For full details of the scheme, and how to offer your support, visit Homes for Ukraine on GOV.UK.

Applying for school

Go to our Ukraine support applying for school webpages for details on how to apply and other key information.

Join the Facebook group for hosts

There’s been a Facebook group set up for host families in our area. It is called Support for Ukrainians in Wokingham and surrounding areas.

This was set up by local residents who are hosting through Homes for Ukraine to help share information. It’s also open to those families joining us from Ukraine.

People from the council and local charities are also in the group to help out. You can request access to join using the button below.

Join the Facebook group

Checks

Once you or your expected arrivals have completed the visa application, this gets processed by central government.

We are then notified and will arrange to carry out some checks with you. These are the standard checks required by central government. Our teams will be in touch to arrange these.

Accommodation checks

A member of our teams will be there to check your property prior to any Ukrainian arrivals.

This is to ensure your home is safe for your guests and that it is in a suitable condition. We will carry out these checks in line with the Government guidance which asks accommodation to be:

be kept clean and in a reasonable state
have adequate kitchen and bathroom space
have access to drinking water
have a working smoke detector on each floor of the property and other fire safety precautions suitable for the building such as fire doors or escape routes as appropriate
have a working carbon monoxide detector in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance such as a coal fire or wood burning stove
have sufficient heating to keep the property at a comfortable temperature
have safe gas appliances, fittings and flues and have undertaken a Gas Safety check within the last year
have safe and working electrics, which a qualified electrician can help with if you are unsure
be almost entirely free of damp or mould
have doors and windows at entry level that lock properly
be easy and safe to move around in, without excessively steep staircases that may cause harm

Disclosure and Barring Service check

You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or an enhanced check if your incoming arrivals include children and/or vulnerable adults.

When our teams visit they will also be checking information we have on who you are expecting to arrive, to ensure it matches the information from central Government.

When your Ukrainian family arrives

If you’re not able to meet your guest, give them instructions on how to get to you.

They are eligible for a single onward journey by national rail, light rail, bus and coach, free of charge to your destination anywhere in England. For more information see the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme.

The MyJourney Wokingham website highlights major stations and transport hubs as well as all bus and train stops.

Case worker support

We'll provide a case worker for you as host and your guests to support you both as required during the months ahead.

We'll make both your and their lives easier by connecting to the right support through us or other local organisations.

Your guests will be given £200 per person in cash for essentials such as food and toiletries when our case worker first visits. Our teams will be providing this to them to help and they will have to sign for it.

Settling in

Guests will not be familiar with the area, so give advice on how to get from home to local shops or other important journeys
Direct them to local public services
Make sure they’re well set up with the basics, like food, toiletries and devices to stay in touch with family and friends

Ground rules

You may want to draw up ground rules with your guests. One route suggested by central Government is to agree ‘terms of occupation’.

There is guidance on sharing your home with a lodger, and whilst it is written for those living in rented homes, it also covers many of the points that any sponsor will want to think about.

Payments

We will administer £350 or £500 ‘thank you’ payments from central government to host families. This will be arranged by your case worker.

More details on how payments work for hosts can be found in the UK Government payment guide.

Matching

You may know other local people who have come forward to host but have not found a matched Ukrainian family.

The Government’s partner for sponsorships is Reset Communities and Refugees. They can help people find an appropriate pairing if they are using the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, with more information on its website.

Other information

You may need to update your home insurance or mortgage provider to let them know. Get in touch to check
You will not be classified as sub-letting your property
Council Tax discounts will not be impacted
You will not be expected to provide meals but can offer them if you wish
The Department for Work and Pensions has said it is ensuring that those who have stepped up to sponsor a Ukrainian individual or family do not see their household benefit entitlements affected as a result