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Hosting as a housing option: HFU

The Homes for Ukraine scheme provided a novel approach to offering a housing solution to refugees when it was launched in March 2022.

Enabling Ukrainian refugees to stay with hosts in the local community rather than having to find separate accommodation results in many benefits:

  • countless more can be offered a place of safety
  • can integrate easier into the community
  • access local services
  • take part in community life including at school
  • contribute economically through employment. 

The scheme provides a financial incentive to hosts, in the form of a ‘thank you’ payment, helping to cover additional costs incurred by hosting guests.

In Gloucestershire, the county council has increased these ‘thank you’ payments above the government standard of £350 to £600, in recognition of the support provided.

When ready, guests are encouraged to move into private rented accommodation. Our information reflects that whilst the majority of refugees (63%) move into private rented accommodation within their first year in the UK, some do need longer before they are able to move. In Gloucestershire there is also assistance with the deposit and other initial costs, promoting long-term independence.

Homes for Ukraine process

01

Ukrainian guests and sponsors find each other and agree to a match.

02

The visa application form is completed online. Guests wait for visas to be issued before booking flights to the UK.

03

Gloucestershire County Council receives notification of the match and subsequent visa confirmation via the government database.

04

Host has their house inspected by the district council. All adults in the household complete a DBS check.

05

Ukrainian guest arrives with host and the county council conduct a welcome visit.

06

When the placement comes to an end, guest moves to independent accommodation or the county council will support in finding an alternative host.

Rematching

Whilst some Ukrainians have been able to move into private rented or social housing accommodation, this isn’t an option for all guests. If their current hosting arrangement ends, the county HFU team can ’rematch’ them with another host.

Rematching reduces the risk of the Ukrainians becoming homeless and eases the pressures on the housing sector.

The rematching process ensures that Ukrainian guests continue to have safe and stable housing, even if their initial sponsorship arrangement comes to an end.

But we don’t just rematch people…

When Ukrainian guests had to move to accommodation that couldn’t include pets, their dog (Barry) was hosted short-term by an emergency host! They said the following:

“Hosting Barry the dog was a very rewarding experience for me and my own dog Neo. We enjoyed showing Barry what Gloucestershire has to offer and will remain friends for life!”