Supporting Ukraine: Homes for Ukraine

South Lakes Housing (SLH) shares the concern and sympathy expressed by many residents about the war in Ukraine and the growing refugee crisis.

SLH will enable tenants who wish to take part in the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme to assist people living in the UK to host Ukrainian individuals or families for six months.

SLH is hoping to help the effort to resettle people longer-term beyond this scheme, and our trade body is already talking to the government about how this could work. Coordinating any offers we make with local authorities and funding for support will be crucial, as will ensuring people have access to housing benefit.

We know that many of our customers feel strongly about the situation in Ukraine and want to help those affected by the Russian invasion.

While we are not collecting donations directly, you can check local social media and press.

What are SLH doing to help with housing?

As a landlord with a strong track record of assisting to rehouse refugees, we are willing to help find refugees temporary or permanent homes in our area and we will work with official processes when they are known. As yet the Government have not released any detail about how social landlords can assist but we will work with SLDC and Cumbria County Council to help when called upon.

Homes for Ukraine

You may be considering welcoming a Ukrainian person or family into your home. The Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme supports people to offer a spare room, or separate self-contained accommodation, to Ukrainian refugee(s) for at least six months. As a SLH tenant you can take part in the scheme and the following guidance will help you to obtain the required landlord’s agreement.

What are the options for hosting those seeking resettlement?

The most current information can be accessed through the Government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ information page and can be viewed here. There is also a set of FAQs that may answer some of the questions you have, which can be viewed here. We are encouraging customers to consider this information carefully before deciding.

SLH want to make it as easy to do this if you wish. For us to consider your request to host, please email customerservices@southlakeshousing.co.uk with your details, how many household members are living in your home and if you have any spare bedrooms. We will get back to you with our decision no later than two weeks of receiving your form.

Additional Information:

SLH ask that you consider some additional information before you make the decision to host as part of your tenancy conditions and we expect that all customers wishing to offer rooms in your home have satisfactorily covered the following points:

  • The size of your home. There are strict guidelines on how many people can live within our homes to ensure that these are not considered ‘overcrowded’, which is set out in housing law. You can find this information in your tenancy agreement.
  • Financial assistance with your rent. Having people living with you, even short-term, could affect any financial help you receive towards your rent or service charges. This could be a payment from your local authority (Housing Benefit) or as part of any Universal Credit payment. It would be best to inquire whether any hosting could affect any payment you receive, as you will be expected to make up any difference. You can find further information on the Government’s website relating to hosting and income.
  • Other specific arrangements relevant to your home. There may be other arrangements around how your home was let to you, which could be related to age, or if you receive care or support services. You would have been advised of this when you moved into your home, but if not, please get in touch to check.
  • Insurance arrangements- you are urged to check whether any insurance policies on your home or contents could be affected by hosting.

Organisations and appeals you may want to support.

If you choose to, you can help people in Ukraine by making a donation to the DEC’s Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal – they work with many charities, including the British Red Cross, to provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. The UK Government will match public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal pound-for-pound starting with £20 million.

Unicef, the United Nations humanitarian aid organisation, focused on children’s welfare, is accepting donations to ensure every displaced child receives the health, nutrition and water they deserve to sustain them.

The British Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have pledged to respond to existing and emerging humanitarian needs.

Save the Children has launched an emergency fund where donations will go towards essential humanitarian aid, psychological support for children, winter and hygiene kits, educational access and cash grants for families.

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