Support for those signing up to host Ukrainians.

[Holidayreservation]

I know there’s the other thread but that’s more so of a debate of why/why not people who are going to host Ukrainians refugees.

I’m 95% sure I’m going to do it, I signed up to a charity on Friday but that’s more of a Ukrainian based support network so I’m not sure they’ll be working with hosting people over here.

I’m waiting for the official government website to go live to read more details - so far we’ve got that there’s a monthly £350 ‘thank you’ for being hosting and it’s a minimum of 6 months.

I know these government contracts/schemes can be hard to navigate and they’ll be a lot of winging it/not a lot of info with bumps to be signing up (apparently we’ll be vetted) but it usually takes weeks for DBS to be submitted.

I thought it might be good to have a place for us to share info and whack our brains together/hand hold as this could be a fair amount of upheaval to get this going/hosting.

[Holidayreservation]

A little bump incase anyone else is like me with keep refreshing google to see if the ‘homes for Ukraine’ has gone live.

[HappeeinParis]

Thanks for starting this. 🤞 this one doesn’t get derailed.

[Holidayreservation]

@HappeeinParis

I’m hoping to keep this free of debate as there’s already plenty of threads on that.

I’m just sure there’s going to be a huge information dump (or maybe no information!) when the scheme goes live.

I’m definitely going to read the terms and conditions as I’m not just going to sign up blindly - I’m quite firm on just women and kids which I feel will be the majority of the people needing placements - unless the husband is accompanying his family (also unlikely) but an absolute no to just males (I live alone).

I’d also just like to host one family and not two separate people as I don’t want to feel like this is a general lodging/house share.

I’m also keen that I can leave the scheme after six months as it will be good to have the choice to continue and not just because it’s until the family find permanent accommodation (which could take years if the council list around here is anything to go on).

I’m also trying to do research on the Ukrainian culture and their norms - I’ve read they’re very house proud so not sure if I should start dusting the ornaments!

[MakeMineAdoubleChocolate]

Excellent idea Of a thread, op. :)

[Lostmyname]

Checking in here as I am veering towards signing up but want to go into it with my eyes open. My gut feeling, and my DH is that we really should do this if we can. I hate having family to stay, too much pressure to host, but I feel that this will be different. I'm a linguist with police clearance certificates to work in schools so I hope I would pas the vetting, and I read that the Ukrainians would be vetted too. Not sure what would suit us best, a mother and child, or an older couple, we have 3 young children so already a hectic household. Feels like a big commitment but an interesting opportunity for all concerned

[Holidayreservation]

@Lostmyname

I think you’re looking at this the right way with going in with your eyes wide open and I’m exact out the same - my gut of telling me to do this on a moral basis is the driving factor.

Having a long term guest is easier than having someone for the weekend imo. I hate having to play host/servant/standing on attention: there’s the fridge, the hoover is kept under the stairs and here’s a key to lock up. We’ve got a couple of teles in the house and enough space that we won’t be sitting on top of each other 24/7.

I also have a DBS but it’s not on the update system. I very much doubt they’ll be thorough checks (unfortunately) as it may be one of those things that they do the placement then get around to checking references two months later..

[Thistooshallpsss]

Two practical questions that need answers - if you currently live alone what will be the position regarding your single person council tax reduction. Secondly is the £350 taxable? Ooh also what impact does any part of the scheme have on means tested benefits.

[LizDoingTheCanCan]

What do you expect your guests to do after six months? It is for a minimum of six months, not a fixed term. Please don't agree to this if you're not committed for as long as is needed.

[alloalloallo]

DH and Ihave been talking about this too.

We have a spare room, but it is DD’s room when she’s back from Uni. She has a student house rather than halls so is away all year round, but pops back for weekends, etc so we really need to discuss it with her first.

I’m a little concerned over what support will be available for us all. We used to be foster carers - lack of support is the number 1 - reason we gave up. We looked after teens with traumatic pasts and they were quite literally just dumped on us, with very little information, no on going support for any of us and then everyone wondering why it all ended in tears.

I’m very keen not to bite off more than I can chew tbh.

[hotdogsjumpingfrogs]

@Thistooshallpsss

Two practical questions that need answers - if you currently live alone what will be the position regarding your single person council tax reduction. Secondly is the £350 taxable? Ooh also what impact does any part of the scheme have on means tested benefits.

I am interested in knowing this, plus also if this is expected to include food.

I'd love to help and have 2 spare rooms, but can't afford to lose money as I'll only just cope with the utility bill increase as it is...

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Hi all, glad I’ve found you in the sea of threads discussing the rights and wrongs of the scheme.
We have several spare rooms and have always had lodgers so I don’t think this is an unrealistic thing for us to contemplate. Kids are older too now so adding a younger family to the household is plausible- ie we have effort capacity as well as physical space. But it is still a huge deal so good to talk it through with others.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Government guidance says you are not expected to provide food. Ukrainians can claim benefits and work so this differs from other refugee hosting schemes where the people need help because they fall outside the rules.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

But you might want to provide food as a matter of making people welcome.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Alloalloallo ikwym about support & not biting off more than you can chew.
Having had 9 lodgers of whom 8 were great and one was a nightmare I do need to know what happens if it goes pear shaped to the extent that you really can’t carry on. With a lodger you can give notice, but in this situation you are assuming responsibility for someone you don’t know. Most people are decent but problems do occur. From what I know of charities that arrange refugee hosting usually, they accept this happens and would arrange to move the person. But I do need to know this has been thought through.

[ponkydonkey]

I have a 4 bed house... 2 kids and just me, we live in a nice area, good schools etc
So we have a spare room, I was thinking about it
But I have so many questions!
This is a great thread so thank you for starting it.

[hotdogsjumpingfrogs]

Well I've been trying to register, but the site seems to crash on submission, which is (sort of) a good sign about how many people are signing up!

I'm still also a bit confused about if I should be actively looking for a local supporting charity....

[Iknowitisheresomewhere]

Thanks for starting the thread. I am in the thinking about it stage. My main question is what happens if for whatever reason it really doesn’t work - eg illness of host, family breakup, house move, etc etc.

[Holidayreservation]

@hotdogsjumpingfrogs

Ooh it finally has gone live (I’ve been refreshing all day but gave up thinking the gov was full of false promises). I’ve also got the error screen - hopefully a good sign it’s due to loads of offers of accommodation!

Not anymore information - I thought they’d be info on if the placement doesn’t work out (I’m sure that’s a common concern) and I can’t quite work out if the government matches us or if we’re expected to find out own placements (then again, might be better to liase with families/charities directly).

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

I can’t work that out either HolidayReservation.

I am also wondering whether it is best to be matched or to see if DH’s Ukrainian colleague knows anyone suitable.

[HeartsAndClubs]

What is the plan after 6 months? Also, do you continue to receive £350 for as long as you have refugees under your roof or will this payment cease after the 6 months is up?

There are so many questions and seemingly few answers.

[Holidayreservation]

Finally got thru!

Signed up. No other info on what happens next.

[tiredanddangerous]

I am starting to look into this too. I feel like I need some concrete information on what happens after the six months is up though.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Ah it seems dh has already spoken to his colleague to see if he knows anyone.

[Holidayreservation]

I’ve read other articles (now there’s not much on the gov website) - the word ‘sponsor’ keeps floating around that it’s looking like we have to match ourselves to a family/person to ‘sponsor’ aka they use our details to get a visa. Seems like a backwards system.

I’m looking on Facebook groups for displaced people/charities and I’m starting to think that the government won’t pay/get them over here? Is that something for us to organise too?

[HousingOne]

I'm aware there is a little bit of making it up as they go along and so no clear answers to many questions.

If you are in a council house or housing association property you may need to check with them. I don't think there is any guidance yet. Also it doesn't seem any guidance has been sent out about benefits, certainly nothing that my welfare benefits advisor colleagues are aware of. I'm sure information will follow in the next few days.