Housing Ukrainian Guests Under the Homes For Ukraine Scheme
Latest Government policy changes:
From 1st October 2024, Government guidance for the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme has been updated for all new applications for thank you payments. Sponsors (hosts) who are in (or form) a close family relationship with their guest will no longer be eligible for thank you payments, this is for new arrivals and rematches.
Government guidance states that close family relationship includes: a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner; a parent; a parent-in-law; a son or daughter; a son- or daughter-in-law; a stepson or daughter; a sibling; a grandparent; or the spouse or unmarried partner of any of these people. For unaccompanied minors, this also includes an aunt or uncle of the child.
Following Government policy changes last February 2024, there is now one route available to Ukrainian’s who wish to live in the UK and this is the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme. The family visa and Ukraine extension schemes are now closed.
Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor (host) who can provide accommodation.
Rotherham Council has obligations under this scheme to conduct DBS checks on the sponsor family and inspect the property to ensure that they are suitable for the guests they have been matched with. Once the guests have arrived, a welfare visit will take place to ensure that the expected guests are those who have arrived, to ensure that they are safe and are referred to any services they require.
Funding is available for sponsors and guests under this scheme:
- Guests can claim £200 per person – this is a one-off payment, not to be paid back.
- Sponsors (Hosts) can claim £350 per property per month for new arrivals who have been in the country under 12 months and £500 per month for Ukraine guests with a Homes for Ukraine visa who have been in the country over 12 months. This is paid 30 days in arrears from the date the guests arrive.
Further information for hosts can be seen here: Homes for Ukraine: sponsor guides - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can register your interest in taking part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
You can offer to host someone:
- applying to come to the UK (you would be their ‘sponsor’)
- already living in the UK
Find out more at: www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine
If you have any queries about this scheme, please email them to Rotherham Council’s Homes for Ukraine contact team: homesforukraine@rotherham.gov.uk