Ukrainians in the UK will be helped into their own homes as part
of a £150 million funding allocation.
The funding will be divided across the UK according to the number
of Ukrainians in each nation: c.£109 million for England, c.£30
million for Scotland, c.£8 million for Wales and around c.£2
million to Northern Ireland.
Funding can be used by councils to help Ukrainian families into
the private rental sector, help them get jobs, and continue
sponsorship for guests’ second year in the UK.
Councils are best placed to understand the support needed for
local communities and, within England, this funding will be used
to help people remain in their current accommodation or find
alternative housing, including in the private rented
sector.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme has welcomed over 124,000 Ukrainians
to the UK, with almost half of working-age nationals now in
employment and settled into their local areas, having had the
right to work, receive benefits and access public services from
day one.
The Department for Transport has also announced it will extend
the length of time Ukrainian refugees can drive in the UK on
their home country driving licence, from one year to three, in a
move that will help many continue the lives and jobs they have
forged since arriving here.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“The UK has an honourable tradition of offering shelter to those
fleeing the horrors of war. Thanks to the extraordinary
generosity of hosts in this country, over 124,000 Ukrainians have
now found safety in the UK.
“Sadly, the fighting in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon, so
we are appealing for more people to become hosts while providing
councils with this additional funding to support guests into
long-term housing.”
Petro Rewko from The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain
said:
“Ukrainians everywhere are grateful to the government and the
British people for opening their homes and hearts to Ukrainians
fleeing their homes as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of
Ukraine.
“We welcome today’s announcement, which recognises the commitment
of sponsors and local authorities during difficult economic times
and will provide additional support and reassurance to Ukrainian
families as they rebuild their lives and seek to overcome the
trauma of war.”
The UK government will continue to work with the Ukrainian
government, the devolved administrations, local authorities and
charities and voluntary groups to support guests and sponsors
under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
The government is keen to ensure that Ukrainian guests receive
the support they are entitled to while they are in the UK, and
are helped into employment and long-term suitable accommodation,
as soon as possible.
Hosts in the UK will continue to receive a monthly £350 thank-you
payment during guests’ first 12 months, rising to £500 a month
during the following 12 months.
To check how to apply to be a host, visit https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine
ENDS
Background:
- In December 2022, DLUHC announced £150m UK-wide funding to
help support Ukrainians and others into sustainable accommodation
and reduce the risk of homelessness in FY
2023/2024.
-
Funding split – The £150m is being
apportioned across the UK according to the number of Homes for
Ukraine arrivals in each nation. Scotland c. £30m, Wales c.
£8m, and Northern Ireland c. £2m for a total of c.£41m to the
DAs. England c. £109m.
-
Funding to DAs – fund will be delivered
to the DAs via Budget Cover Transfer, in line with DA
preferences, at Supplementary Estimates in early
2024.
-
Funding in England – In England the £109m
will be administered as a top-up to the existing Homelessness
Prevention Grant (HPG) for all local authorities, using the
same conditions. Recognising wider pressures alongside those
arising from the Ukrainian cohort, 66% of funding to LAs will
be allocated in line with the 2023/2024 HPG formula, and 34%
based on the number of Ukrainian guests in each
LA.
-
Purpose – the funding will help LAs
support Ukrainian guests into sustainable accommodation
including through access to the PRS, employment support and
facilitating ongoing sponsorship into guests’ second
year.
