Homes for Ukraine

More sponsors are needed for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Register your interest

As the war in Ukraine continues, more refugee families are arriving here needing emergency accommodation.

While there were many expressions of interest to become sponsors at the start of the conflict, many of those subsequently proved to be unsuitable as accommodation providers.

In addition, many existing sponsors are unable to extend their current accommodation offer beyond six months.

For all these reason, Cornwall Council is asking for your support now in highlighting the Homes for Ukraine scheme to your communities.

Cornwall Council is continuing to work with government and other agencies to match families to sponsors after carrying out safeguarding and suitability checks.

The Council is also managing transfer placements for families who have come to the end of their current placement and need new sponsored accommodation.

Please email homesforukraine@cornwall.gov.uk with any questions about the scheme, including requests for accommodation re-matches, so Cornwall Council can ensure the safety of both families and sponsors.

We are encouraging residents to get behind local and national efforts to provide much-needed support for the people of Ukraine – in particular those who have fled the country and are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

Visit our Help for Ukraine webpage

We're supporting the government’s initiative to offer homes to refugees, given the harrowing situation they are facing.

Homes for Ukraine

This scheme is open for visa applications from Ukrainians and immediate family members who already have named people willing to sponsor them.

They do not need a family tie to take part in this scheme, but they must be sponsored by an individual or organisation in the UK.

You can record your interest as an

• individual
• or as an organisation (for example charity, business, community group)

You can read details and FAQs first before recording your offer of support, and, once registered, you will be regularly updated as the scheme opens and develops.

Find out more and register on the Homes for the Ukraine website

Some frequently asked questions are:

Who can apply to host a Ukrainian refugee?

People in the UK will be able to apply to host a refugee or refugees through the government website (homes for Ukraine) – link above.

You have to be able to host them in your own home or in another property, for at least six months.

Charities, businesses and community groups will also be able to apply.

Those offering to host a refugee will be vetted by the government and Ukrainian applicants will also undergo security checks before they are matched with a host.

The government says there will be no cap or upper limit on the number of Ukrainians who can come under this scheme.

Do you have to know the refugee you want to host?

No, you will not be required to know them in advance.

You don't have to name an individual or a family you want to host when you fill in the form. 

How will the scheme be funded?

Sponsors  in the UK will be offered £350 per household a month to open their homes to refugees.

What rights will the refugees have?

Ukrainians welcomed under the scheme will be eligible to work, access state benefits and public services for three years.

Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Morrisons are among UK retailers who have offered to employ Ukrainian refugees.

The government has also said it will look at options to provide support to Ukrainian nationals who want to come to the UK with their pets.

Safeguarding

All accommodation offered will be subject to the relevant safeguarding checks and will be carried out at a local level on a case by case basis.

The Ukraine Family Scheme Visa application process can be found on the Government website.

Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa 

The Ukraine Family Scheme

This scheme opened from 4 March.

It allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK.

It is free to apply and so far, approximately 5500 visas have been granted.

Successful applicants will be able to

• live
• work
• and study

in the UK and access public funds.

To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme people must:

• be applying to join or accompany their UK-based family member;

and

• be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme;

and

• have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine

There is a 24/7 free helpline +44 808 164 8810 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK).

If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, please use +44 (0)175 390 7510.