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Homes for Ukraine

Support for Ukraine

Homes for Ukraine

In 2022 the government launched a sponsorship scheme for residents wanting to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. Since that time, many sponsors (hosts) in the district have generously opened their homes to guests.

In January 2025 the government published information on its web pages on a number of changes taking place across the different Ukrainian visa schemes.

NEW Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

As individual visas start to come to an end, Ukrainians will need to apply for the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme which opens from 4 February 2025. You must make an application before your current permission expires. The scheme will be valid for 18 months.

Ukrainians can only apply for the new scheme when their current permission has 28 days or less remaining until it expires.  

Ukrainians must remain in the UK during their application period.

Parents can now become a sponsor under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and apply for their children to have visas under the scheme.

The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme replaces the following visa schemes:

To qualify for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme a Ukraine must have been on one of the above schemes and must:

  • be in the UK when making an application
  • have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes

Apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme

Information for hosts

See the government’s web pages below for information about how to become a Homes for Ukraine sponsor, including checks the council will make, and eligibility criteria.

Guidance on becoming a sponsor

Guidance on eligibility and other checks

Information for Ukrainian nationals

Guidance on government support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members. This includes the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows family members of British nationals to come to or stay in the UK; and the Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine, which enables people and organisations such as charities, businesses and community groups to sponsor Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come to the UK.

Host payments

Once your guests arrive, hosts receive £550 per month up to 1 April 2025. From 1st April 2025, sponsors/hosts receive £350 per month irrespective of how long the guests have been in the UK.

If a guest is in a sponsorship arrangement when granted permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, their sponsor/host will be asked to reapply for thank you payments if they wish to continue to receive a monthly payment.

Eligible sponsors/hosts of those previously on the Homes for Ukraine visas will be able to claim thank you payments of £350 a month, for the 18 months that guests are covered by the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme visa.

Homes for Ukraine Council Tax Scheme

A 50% discount on council tax will apply for Ukrainian nationals under the council tax discount scheme living in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme and living in your own accommodation not in a sponsor’s home.

Accommodation options

There are a number of options available for guests and hosts:

  • Guests can continue to stay at host accommodation under the current Homes for Ukraine scheme. 
  • Guests can look to move to private accommodation – for more information, see our web page on finding rented accommodation

Hosts can formalise a tenancy/lodging arrangement, this could include making their properties HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) – see our web page on information for landlords. 

If you are currently under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, some financial support may be available to help you transition from hosted to independent accommodation.  The type and level of support depends upon your circumstances. 

You may also be able to join our housing register, see this page on our website for more information or contact our housing team.

Sponsors, hosts or guest who needs support and advice should contact the resettlement team either by email at resettlement.team@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or directly on 01295 221635.