Homes for Ukraine | News

On 15 March 2022 the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) confirmed that the Homes for Ukraine scheme will: 

• Offer a route to those who want to come to the UK who have someone here willing to provide them with a home 

• Enable individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians, and their immediate family members, forced to escape their homeland 

• Provide accommodation via sponsors for as long as they are able, but the government has a minimum expectation of six months 

Someone is eligible for the scheme if they are a Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national and were resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022.  

People arriving under this scheme will be able to: 

•  Live and work in the UK for up to three years 

• Access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition 

The announcement also confirmed that there would be no limit to how many Ukrainians could enter the UK under the visa sponsorship scheme but: 

• Each household housing a refugee will be offered £350 a month, tax free 

• They will not be expected to provide food and living expenses but can choose to offer this.  

Individuals who wish to sponsor a ‘named person’ should get in contact with them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application with all the required details. The visa application will go live on 18 March. 

The government's current advice is that individuals who do not know anyone to sponsor may wish to get in touch with charities, faith groups or local community organisations who are starting to make connections between individuals. 

If you know a named person you can register your Expression of Interest at: 

•  Individuals here 

•  Organisations here 

The government has also produced some FAQs (frequently asked questions) here 

If you have any specific questions, you can contact: homesforukraine@levellingup.gov.uk 

There are still many questions yet to be clarified by the government. Magenta Living has already received questions such as: 

• Will taking part in this scheme impact my benefits such as a non-dependent charge or under occupation charge? 

• Is it ok if taking part in this scheme results in me being overcrowded? 

• Is preference given to individuals or families in this country who have a spare room(s) who also have children who can befriend Ukrainian children? 

Once we become aware of the government`s position we will update this page.  

For now, we simply request that if you are a tenant of Magenta Living and you have registered your expression of interest in taking part in this scheme, you ring us on 0808 100 9596. Once the details become clearer, we will contact you back to discuss in more detail and sign post you to further information and hopefully local support. 

After seeing recent images and hearing accounts of the unfolding horrors in Ukraine, everyone associated with Magenta Living is looking for ways to help and support the people of Ukraine. 

Global charities operating in the UK and Ukraine are appealing for funds to offer aid in the humanitarian crisis. Guidance is that sometimes the best way to help is to make a cash donation. Listed below are genuine agencies that will support those affected and in need of urgent help:  

• The British Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help the Ukrainian Red Cross to provide food, medicine, clothing and shelter, as well as first aid training in bomb shelters and, in the last few days, 15,000 litres of drinking water to villages in eastern Ukraine The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity 

• The UNHCR refugee agency, which is funding emergency shelters, repairs for homes damaged by shelling, emergency cash assistance, psychological support and warm clothing UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency 

• Unicef, the UN's children's charity, which is helping to ensure families have clean water and food and that child health and protection services continue Unicef UK - Children's charity - For Every Child in Danger 

• Save the Children, which is providing cash assistance, food and other support to refugees crossing into Romanian and Lithuania, as well as in Ukraine itself Save the Children UK | International Children's Charity 

• Polskie in Liverpool are collecting much-needed items such as foil survival blankets, toys, nappies, sanitary towels, sleeping bags and much more. There is a collection point at Polskie Merseyside, 254 County Road, Liverpool, L4 5PE Polskie Merseyside | Facebook 

• Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. The UK Government will match donations from the public pound-for-pound up to £20million DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal | Disasters Emergency Committee  

• Wirral Support during Coronavirus and The Wirral Network are Facebook pages with many people collecting items and taking them to official drop off points Wirral Support during Coronavirus | Facebook 

Before donating to a community group, just check with them that they are still accepting donations and if there is anything in particular they need. 

The Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator have urged the public to ‘give safely’ to registered charities helping and supporting those affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

By giving to a registered, regulated charity, the public can have assurance that their funds will be accounted for in line with the charity law framework. Established charities with experience of responding to disasters are usually best placed to reach victims on the ground.

People looking to donate to causes working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, should make a few simple checks before giving:

• Check the charity’s name and registration number at www.gov.uk/checkcharity
• Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
• Be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them
• Contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds
• Look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity fundraising materials, this is the logo which shows that a charity has committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice

Many charities operate in Russia, and may come under increasing pressure as a result of the implications of sanctions, difficulties in transferring funds and because of the operating environment for civil society in that country. To keep up to date with the latest financial sanctions, charities can sign up to e-alerts from HM Treasury and find guidance from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).

All charities should also know their donors, and consider whether or not to accept donations, including where there may be a reputational implication for them in doing so. Charities are encouraged to read the latest government guidance in light of the current international context as well as the general guidance on managing risks when working internationally.