Hosting can end in a few ways and at different stages of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The information below is to help explain the different scenarios, what will happen next, and what help there is. Most browsers will automatically ask if you want to translate the language to the one set on your device, but you can see the guidance in Ukrainian and Russian.
Hosting fails unexpectedly
Sometimes there are sudden breakdowns in the relationship between the host and the guests which cannot be repaired. This means the guests need to move out.
As soon as the situation breaks down you need to contact the Homes for Ukraine team by email or call 07823 610 386 or 07823 609 911.
The guests also needs to apply for help with homelessness. Someone from our homelessness team will then contact them to review their application and look to solve the problem, including temporary accommodation when needed. Temporary accommodation is often outside the district, and might be a hotel.
The Homes for Ukraine team will also start looking for a rematch in the district - we try and rematch in the same town but it's not always possible.
If a rematch is found the guests will move in with the new host.
If rented accommodation is found, the Homes for Ukraine team will help with:
- an affordability check
- rent deposit or rent in advance - this must be no more than five weeks in advance
- sign up
- setting up bills
- telling Kent County Council (KCC) about the move
- advice on what to do next, including where to buy affordable furniture
The accommodation needs to be affordable, meet the Local Housing Allowance and be the right size for the people living there.
End of hosting period at six months or another agreed time
Let the Homes for Ukraine team know about the end of the hosting period two months before you want it to end. This gives us time to look for another host.
Rematching is always the preferred choice as it keeps the guests in the Homes for Ukraine team’s support bubble. It also provides free accommodation over the winter which is a very expensive time to rent.
If a rematch is found, the new host and guests will be introduced to each other before they move.
We will let KCC know about the move so the thank you payment will be transferred to the new host. The Homes for Ukraine team will also visit the new address and help let other relevant parties know of the move
If a quick rematch cannot be found, the guests will need to apply for help with homelessness.
At the end of the hosting period, temporary accommodation will be found if there is no rematch or the guest cannot find private rented accommodation.
If the guests do find somewhere to rent, they need to complete an affordability check with the Homes for Ukraine team and make sure the agreement meets the rent deposit scheme. If it does, the team will help with the deposit and sign up support.
Rematch is found
Only one rematch will be offered for each guest. If it is a reasonable offer and it is turned down, then the guests will need to find their own rematch or find rented accommodation, as their homeless need will have been met by us. A rent deposit will be offered in this case.
The new host and guests will be introduced to each other before they move.
We’ll let KCC know about the move so the thank you payment will be transferred to the new hosts. The Homes for Ukraine team will also visit the new address and help let other relevant parties know of the move.
Guest finds their own accommodation before hosting period ends
We recommend that guests who have been sponsored to come over on the Homes for Ukraine scheme don’t leave the accommodation as a host family can support them during a difficult time. Living with a host also takes away the pressure of high energy bills in the winter.
However, we understand that some people will want to find their own accommodation. They need to tell us that they’re moving so that host payments are stopped.
In this case they will not be able to get help with rent deposit (unless it’s within the last two months of hosting) as that only applies at the end of the agreed period. We’ll still give advice and support about setting up the new tenancy and they can still attend local hubs for more advice.
They will need enough money to cover things like:
- a month’s rent in advance
- a rent deposit - likely to be five weeks rent
- money for furniture and essentials
If they claim Universal Credit they might need to save more because payments are made in arrears and it could be up to eight weeks before they get any money.
If they choose to rent private accommodation they should read our advice on renting.
