The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has today launched a webpage for sponsors to record their interest, ahead of Phase One of the scheme opening for applications this Friday.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.
Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.
Individual sponsors will be asked to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for as long as they are able, with a minimum stay of 6 months. In return, they will receive £350 per month.
Those who have a named Ukrainian they wish to sponsor should contact them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application, with the application launching on Friday 18 March.
Charities, faith groups and local community organisations are also helping to facilitate connections between individuals, for potential sponsors who do not have a named contact.
Ukrainians arriving in the UK under this scheme will be granted 3 years leave to remain, with entitlement to work, and access benefits. They will have access to the NHS and other public services, and their children will be able to attend local schools. Local authorities will also receive £10,500 in extra funding per refugee for support services - with more for children of school age.
Applicants will be vetted and will undergo security checks. Worcester residents can register their interest on the UK government website through the link here.
Worcester MP Robin Walker has welcomed the announcement, hoping that this will help residents in the city who are keen to offer Ukrainian families space to live in their homes. He said:
"I have received a lot of correspondence from Worcester residents who are quite rightly appalled by the barbaric nature in which Russia has treated innocent civilians in Ukraine. I am incredibly grateful to the individuals and organisations who have come forward to offer help, including the University of Worcester.
"The UN estimates that over 2.5 million people have been forced out of Ukraine due to the ongoing attacks by Russian forces. The majority of those seeking refuge here in the UK are women and children and I am proud that our amazing city has stepped up, with residents coming forward to offer them a safe place to live. Importantly we have been explicit in saying there will be no cap on the number of people who can come to the UK to live safely.
"Over the last 6 months I have been working within the Department for Education on ensuring that those Afghan children who came to this country after Operation pitting were provided with educational support and places in schools. I am looking forward to working with colleagues across government to support Ukrainian children and young people to continue their education in this country.
"Today's announcement provides a practical route for people who want to help to register and I would encourage anyone who might wish to help to register as soon as possible."
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:
"The courage shown by the Ukrainian people in the face of devastation caused by the invasion of their great country is nothing short of remarkable.
"The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of helping others in their hour of need and our new Homes for Ukraine scheme offers a lifeline to those who have been forced to flee.
"I’m asking people across our country who can provide a home for Ukrainians to consider being sponsors."