Homes for Ukraine
In 2022 the government launched a sponsorship scheme for residents wanting to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. Since that time, many sponsors (hosts) in the district have generously opened their homes to guests.
In January 2025 the government published information on its web pages on a number of changes taking place across the different Ukrainian visa schemes.
NEW Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
As individual visas start to come to an end, Ukrainians will need to apply for the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme which opens from 4 February 2025. You must make an application before your current permission expires. The scheme will be valid for 18 months.
Ukrainians can only apply for the new scheme when their current permission has 28 days or less remaining until it expires.
Ukrainians must remain in the UK during their application period.
Parents can now become a sponsor under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and apply for their children to have visas under the scheme.
The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme replaces the following visa schemes:
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)
- Ukraine Family Scheme
- Ukraine Extension Scheme
To qualify for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme a Ukraine must have been on one of the above schemes and must:
- be in the UK when making an application
- have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes
Information for hosts
See the government’s web pages below for information about how to become a Homes for Ukraine sponsor, including checks the council will make, and eligibility criteria.
Host payments
Until 1 April 2025, hosts will receive £350 a month during the first 12 months of your guests’ stay. This increases to £500 once your guest has been in the UK for 12 months to help sponsors/hosts who are able to continue sponsoring. After 1 April 2025, sponsors/hosts will be eligible to receive £350 a month per household, irrespective of how long guests have been in the UK.
If a guest is in a sponsorship arrangement when granted permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, their sponsor/host will be asked to reapply for thank you payments if they wish to continue to receive a monthly payment. Eligible sponsors/hosts of those previously on Homes for Ukraine visas will be able to claim thank you payments of £350 a month, for the 18 months that guests are covered by the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme visa.
Accommodation options
There are a number of options available for guests and hosts:
- Guests can continue to stay at host accommodation under the current Homes for Ukraine scheme with an increase in the payment for hosts – for more information, see our web page on Support for Ukraine.
- Guests can look to move to private accommodation – for more information, see our web page on renting a property or room.
- Hosts can formalise a tenancy/lodging arrangement, this could include making their properties HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) – see our web page on information for landlords.
You may also be able to join our housing register, see this page on our website for more information or contact our housing team.
If you are currently under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, some financial support may be available to help you transition from hosted to independent accommodation. The type and level of support depends upon your circumstances.
If you need further advice, then please contact our Ukraine Housing Team on email UkraineHousingTeam@southandvale.gov.uk
Our Community Hub can also provide you wider support or advice, call 01235 422600 or email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk
