Provide accommodation
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme enables those fleeing the war in Ukraine to be matched with a ‘sponsor’, or lead host, in the UK, who will provide accommodation to guests free of charge, for a minimum six-month period.
This will allow Ukrainians to come to the UK, including those with no family ties to the country.
Support is available for guests and hosts. This includes a monthly £350 Government ‘Thank you’ payment which hosts can opt into, alongside additional support from local councils.
Ukrainian people applying under this scheme prior to 19 February 2024 will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support. Those applying under this scheme from 19 February 2024 are granted leave to remain for 18 months.
Households with extra space available
UK residents can offer up space in their homes for those fleeing the war. This could be one room, multiple rooms, or even a whole unit or home if you have one available and are willing to offer it to guests free of charge.
Help from charities, community groups and businesses
If your charity, community group or business has a property you are willing to offer for free, to provide a space for guests from Ukraine to live for a minimum of six months, you can do this through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
You will need to identify someone from your organisation to be the lead sponsor when you register.
Registering interest in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme
People or organisations wanting to be sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can register their interest on the government website.
Registered interest data comes to Cambridgeshire County Council who then share it with us.
Matching hosts with guests from Ukraine
As part of the council’s work to support people from Ukraine who are already settled in Cambridge, we are looking for new host households to come forward. The scheme that was set up at the start of the conflict asked hosts to commit to a period of at least six months, and that time period has now passed. Although some hosts may be able to extend their hosting arrangement further, not all will be able to.
By finding more people in our community to host, we can support people from Ukraine who are already settled to stay in the area where they have formed friendships, secured jobs, and where their children have started school.
We will work to rematch guest households with hosts who come forward in the right area of the city to keep guests in the area where they have started to settle.
If you're thinking of hosting and are happy to be matched with someone already living in Cambridge, please fill in our short host expression of interest form.
Matching hosts with guests not yet in the UK
Alternatively, if you would like to be matched with a guest who is not yet in the UK, you are welcome to make your own match if you already know someone who wishes to come over via the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Or there are several other ways you can sponsor a Ukrainian household if you do not already know anyone in need.
Several charities and non-government organisations are working to offer services to match potential sponsors and Ukrainian households seeking to come to the UK.
See the government webpage advising organisations who can help UK citizens become sponsors.
Supporting guests from Ukraine as a private landlord
We are always searching for more properties to house people who have fled war in Ukraine, so if you have a property to let, please consider renting your property through Townhall Lettings.
Townhall Lettings is our letting management service which matches local landlords with people who need a home.
Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.
The scheme closed on 19 February 2024. For further details, including if you are awaiting a decision before the scheme closed or other visa options, visit the government website.
Apply for a grant to fund community activities to support Ukrainian refugees
Community groups supporting Ukrainian refugees can apply through our United with Ukraine community grant scheme.
Donate money
There are good supply chains in eastern Europe, so it is quicker and more cost effective to send money to buy supplies locally than to donate and transport them from the UK.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a coalition of 15 leading UK charities, has launched a collective fundraising appeal to provide food, water, shelter, healthcare and protection.
Other charities fundraising to help Ukraine include:
We encourage you to check the government’s guidance on safe giving before you donate.
