Would you like to host a guest from Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is ongoing and Ukrainian families still need our support. The UK Homes for Ukraine programme started in March 2022, with households in Kingston opening their homes to people fleeing Ukraine. Over 160 households in the borough have stepped forward and are accommodating guests and we are so grateful for their support. All hosts receive a monthly £350 ‘thank you payment’ (for the first 6 months).
If you are interested in becoming a host, please read on to find out about the steps you can take and please continue to check this webpage for further updates or email ukraine@kingston.gov.uk with any questions. You can register your interest via this google form.
What you need to know before becoming a host
The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames are extremely grateful for your interest in hosting a family or individual from Ukraine. There are lots of things to consider before becoming a host. Please read through the details and links on this page to help decide whether this is the right option for you. Kingston Council will be there to support you and your guests throughout the hosting arrangement.
Key Terms
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Hosts or Sponsors: People opening up their homes to refugees
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Guests are also referred to as “newcomers’ or “refugees”: The people we are welcoming from Ukraine under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Although they are refugees by definition, they will not have refugee status in the UK.
What is required to become a host?
In order to become a host, you will need to ensure that your property is appropriate to welcome guests from Ukraine. Here is a short list of things that you will need to do and provide.
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confirm they can provide accommodation for a period of at least 6 months in the UK (it can be a separate bedroom in your accommodation or more, depending on the number of guests you are willing to host)
*please note you cannot charge rent for providing accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
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Freedom of movement so the guest is not restricted to a small section of the home
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Providing support and guidance to your guests
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Registering for benefits and bank accounts at your address
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Interacting with your local authority
For more details, please check the national guidance here.
It is important to remember that everyone is different and that hosting should be approached with an open mind. We want to help Ukrainian individuals and families to feel settled in our borough by making them feel welcomed and supported.
To make the six months of hosting successful, it is important to be aware of what options are available for guests once the hosting has come to an end and prepare for this from early on.
Please follow the links below to find more guidance on hosting:
Two ways to become a host under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme:
There are two ways you can become a ‘Host’ for a person or family from Ukraine as part of the Homes for Ukraine programme. The first way is to join the national Homes for Ukraine scheme directly where you will host someone who is not yet in the UK (detailed below).
The second way is to host a Ukrainian or Ukrainian family who has already arrived in Kingston but cannot stay with their original host (become a ‘Rematch Host’ - through this you will meet potential guests before agreeing to host them, detailed below). Kingston Council is currently actively looking for rematch hosts in the borough, please see the details below for further information and to offer your support.
1. Becoming a host directly through the national Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The process:
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Decide you want to get involved
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Email ukraine@kingston.gov.uk expressing your interest
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Kingston United for Ukraine team checks their list of guests requiring a rematch and help you find a suitable rematch guest or family under the scheme, in full agreement with you as a rematch host
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Local authority checks
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Host and guest to arrange move-in
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Minimum of 6 months hosting
2. Becoming a Rematch Host for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme
How to become a rematch host in Kingston
Rematching is for Ukrainians who have already arrived in Kingston but whose arrangements with their current host have ended (or could not take place at all). Guests under this option are already in Kingston (or are being housed near Kingston) while we try to find a new host for them. Some guests have already stayed with a host family for 6 months and now need a new family for the second 6 months.
Some guests have children who are already in a Kingston school and we are doing all we can to try and find host families who can accommodate them so that the children have continuity in their schooling at this difficult time.
If you would like to become a rematch host and would like the council to match you with a Ukrainian family or person already in Kingston, please email ukraine@kingston.gov.uk to be put on our rematching list. You will be asked to complete a ‘Rematching Profile’ and will be invited to meet any potential guests before a rematch is confirmed.
If you know of a Ukrainian family who are already on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme that you would like to host as a ‘rematch host’, please contact ukraine@kingston.gov.uk for council checks to be arranged and the rematch to be formalised.
Find out more about rematching.
Contact us:
For urgent queries only you call the contact centre on: 0208 8547 5000 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (or during out-of-hours 020 8547 5800) and a message can be left for the Ukraine Arrivals & Queries Team.
For any queries for our Housing Options Service, please call 020 8547 5003 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. If you have any urgent out of hours housing issues, such as homelessness, please call 020 8770 5000.
In an emergency, please dial 999.