More hosts sought for Homes for Ukraine scheme in Lincolnshire

Image
Two terraced houses, one with a yellow door and the other with a blue door

Could you open your home to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine? The Lincolnshire Resettlement Partnership, comprising of Lincolnshire councils and a range of public sector agencies and charitable sector organisations all working together, is seeking more hosts to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The partnership is particularly interested in hearing from people who may have already expressed an interest to offer accommodation but have yet to be matched with a guest.

New hosts are being sought for a range of reasons including to help support Ukrainian guests whose original accommodation hasn’t worked out, or where their original hosts have had changes to their personal circumstances meaning they are unable to continue to offer the use of their home. In addition, as more visa applications are approved with arrivals looking to make Lincolnshire their temporary home, further hosts are needed to help meet demand.

Currently, there are known to be more than 750 Ukrainian refugees who have joined their Lincolnshire sponsors. Prospective hosts need to be able to offer accommodation for a minimum of six months, and those who are successfully matched to Ukrainian guests are offered a £350 per month ‘thank you’ payment.

Although local authorities are responsible for the wrap-around support package for Ukrainian guests, hosts should expect to provide a basic level of support including welcoming their guests to the local area. They will also need to help with tasks such as registering with a GP, accessing local and public services and opening a bank account. The Government’s Homes for Ukraine ‘Sponsor Guidance’ which can be found online, outlines important information and things to think about before signing up to the scheme.

If you think you could commit to hosting, please email the Lincolnshire Homes for Ukraine Team on homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Cllr Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire representative on the East Midlands Migration Board said:

“The generosity shown so far by Lincolnshire hosts, opening their homes to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, has been extremely heartening. We want to offer them our sincere thanks in offering their guests such a warm welcome to our county. Now we would like to call on those whose situation may have changed since the spring, to get in touch if they are still able to offer temporary accommodation. We recognise that circumstances change for both hosts and guests and our Homes for Ukraine team is on hand to answer any questions from those interested in supporting the scheme.”

Anyone looking to show their support who is unable to offer accommodation could consider donating to the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s Ukraine Refugee Appeal. More than £13,000 has already been raised and funds will help to meet the specific, individual and more personal needs of the arriving Ukrainian guests where these are not provided for by statutory support or their hosts. Donations can be made at: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/LincolnshireCF-Ukraine

For the latest news on North Kesteven District Council visit our council news pages

Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), find us on Facebook, or sign up to our newsletter