Homes For Ukraine
The Homes for Ukraine scheme is one of three routes introduced by the Government to support people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The scheme allows individuals in the UK to sponsor a named Ukrainian national or a family to come to live in the UK with them, providing they have suitable accommodation to offer and meet the scheme’s criteria.
Safe places
Since the introduction of the national Homes for Ukraine scheme in March 2022, Sefton residents have helped to provide safe accommodation for almost 300 Ukrainians fleeing war.
Over 120 Sefton households have welcomed Ukrainians into their homes.
Sefton Council’s Resettlement Team and wider partners are supporting Ukrainians who have moved to the Borough to ensure a smooth integration into all aspects of life in the UK.
Become a Host
Sefton Council is keen to recruit more hosts who can help provide homes for Ukrainian refugees.
There are Ukrainian families and individuals already in Sefton, who need accommodation because their existing accommodation arrangements have come to an end. This is known as “rematching”.
What will this involve?
Being a host can be very rewarding, but there are some important things you should think about before agreeing to host.
As a host, you will have to:
- adapt to changes in your household when sharing your home with guests.
- adapt to differences in living habits, for example household tasks or eating preferences.
- communicate with guests who don't speak your first language fluently.
- consider the extra household costs with more people living in your home.
- decide on boundaries and how you want to live together.
Guests already living in the UK and wanting to rematch with another host usually need less support than someone first arriving in the country. Many guests have already found work and are settling into the area, becoming more self-sufficient.
You will meet the guest before you both commit to a rematch. We only allow a hosting arrangement to move forward if all parties are comfortable to do so.
We expect that you should be able to offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months.
Before you become a host, Sefton Council will carry out eligibility, safeguarding, DBS and accommodation checks.
Use this link to find out more about these checks.
Thank you payments
As a sponsor or host, you will receive a monthly payment from the UK government as a thank you for hosting. This is tax-free and increases after 12 months. Payments are fixed at:
- £350 a month during the first 12 months of a guest's stay
- £500 a month once a guest has been in the UK for 12 months
To help with the increased cost of living, Sefton Council will also pay an additional £75 for one guest plus £25 per additional guest on top of the government payments, until 30th September 2024.
Support for a host
Sefton Council Resettlement team are here to offer support and can advise on issues such as:
- general enquiries about the scheme and any changes in legislature.
- intercultural awareness, including some information about Ukrainian culture.
- the realities of hosting and how to make it work.
- where to go for mental health support.
Become a sponsor
Sefton Council do not offer a visa application service, or match Ukrainians with visa sponsors in the UK.
- You can sponsor an individual or a family still in Ukraine.
- Find out how to sponsor someone or a group to come to Sefton from Ukraine.
- As of February 2024, there are new criteria for becoming a sponsor. Please ensure you meet the criteria before applying.
- You can use this link to record your interest to become a sponsor or rematch host.
Ukrainians Arriving in the UK
The Government has produced a Guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. It contains specific information for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
It includes sections on:
- Arriving in the UK
- Getting used to life in the UK
- What to do if things go wrong
- Legal Rights and Responsibilities
- Applying for a School Place in England
- A Quick Guide to Key Services
For more information about the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Sefton, please email homesforukraine@sefton.gov.uk or speak to our Resettlement Team on 0151 459 4367