Homes for Ukraine

Information for Sponsors

Sponsor Requirements  

There are some responsibilities that will be expected of you as a sponsor. The sponsor requirements are set out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and each level needs to be passed for Thank You payments to be processed and issued.  

The requirements are related to the following:  

  1. Acknowledgement of the application 
  1. Confirmation that the accommodation exists 
  1. Completion of the Self-Declaration Form, agreeing to regular contact with the team 
  1. Successful completion of a housing inspection  
  1. Successful DBS check 
  1. Arrival of the guest – confirmation sent to Hounslow’s Homes for Ukraine Team 
  1. Safeguarding checks completed – this consists of engagement with the Homes for Ukraine team.  
  1. Engagement with Hounslow officers throughout the guests’ stay under the Homes for Scheme. 

 

  1. Confirmation that the accommodation exists:  
    • When you register an application to host a guest, you are then matched with an individual from Ukraine who has similarly made a visa application under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. This is then sent to the Homes for Ukraine team in Hounslow who will then contact you to complete a self-declaration form.  
  • Self-Declaration Form 
    • The Self-Declaration form will ask you to confirm the following: 
      • Your name and address 
      • That you will not charge the guests rent 
      • Confirm that you will host a guest for a minimum of six months 
      • Provide evidence of British/Irish citizenship or settled status (If you applied to host after 19th February 2024) 
      • As of the 31st January 2025, a parent (or legal guardian) who holds permission under any of the Ukraine Schemes can apply to sponsor their child under Homes for Ukraine.

The parent or legal guardian:

  • does not need to have settled status to sponsor their child, but they must hold permission under any of the Ukraine Schemes (or Leave Outside the Rules granted due to the conflict in Ukraine before the Ukraine Schemes were introduced)
  • must offer accommodation for the duration of their child’s visa
  • must be able to provide evidence of their relationship with the child (birth/adoption/legal guardianship documents)   Child sponsored by parent under Homes for Ukraine Scheme

You will be required to complete and send the form to initiate the checks required.  

  1. Successful completion of a housing inspection  
    • To ensure a safe and suitable environment for people arriving from Ukraine, Hounslow Council will be carrying out inspection on the accommodation that they will provide.  
    • Housing Standards officers will contact you to arrange an appointment in-person to carry out checks on your accommodation to ensure that it is safe.  
  2. Successful DBS check 
    • Once a housing inspection has been passed, you will then be required to complete a DBS check for yourself and any other household members who live with you. You will need to complete an enhanced DBS if any of your guests are under 18.  

An officer from the council will contact you to check your identity and that of any other household members who live with you. This will be required in order to complete the DBS process. For more information about what is required, please see DBS Checks 

Failure to engage with the council at any stage of this process will result in either a delay to your payments or have your sponsor application withdrawn. Please ensure that you are always engaging with council officers.  

5. Arrival of Guests 

  1. People may have difficulties accessing services for a variety of reasons, so whilst it’s not an obligation, it is expected that a sponsor is able to offer some form of assistance in such matters. This could be helping someone to register with a GP, complete their Universal Credit application or local orientation, such as navigating public transport to get to local amenities.  
  2. People may need help in applying for a school place, accessing English Language provision or any other type of access to training and employment. There are resources and information available to assist your guest. Please contact the Homes for Ukraine team for assistance.  
  3. Sponsors are entitled to receive a ‘Thank you’ payment of £350 per month. When your guest arrives, you must inform Hounslow’s Homes for Ukraine team, or it will result in delay of your payment. To receive their payment, they will require to scan a copy of their bank statement with their details. (see payment page)
  4. For any queries or if you or the guest require any support around accessing services (GP, Education, applying for Universal Credit, employment or ESOL Courses), please contact asylumandrefugees@hounslow.gov.uk or call 0208 583 2100 (Monday to Friday 9-5pm) and inform the team the details relating to each guest.  

If the hosting arrangement is due to end and your guest requires assistance from the local authority with housing, a letter is required indicating this at least six months prior. You will need to send this via email to Homes for Ukraine team at the following address: asylumandrefugees@hounslow.gov.uk. This would help your local authority to be better prepared to find long-term and stable accommodation in and around the borough. It would also help the Homes for Ukraine team to rematch the guest to another host.  

If you would like to continue hosting, if you have any questions or queries about this, please contact the Hounslow Homes for Ukraine team on 0208 583 2100 or email asylumandrefugees@hounslow.gov.uk.  

If the hosting arrangement fails for any reason, please contact the Homes for Ukraine team immediately to inform us on 0208 583 2100 or email asylumandrefugees@hounslow.gov.uk  

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