In Britain, payments to families hosting Ukrainians are being cut
Starting January 1, 2027, the United Kingdom will reduce payments to families hosting Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine program. The monthly payment to sponsors will decrease from 350 to 100 pounds sterling, and funding for local authorities will also be cut.
The UK government plans to significantly change the funding for the Homes for Ukraine program, under which British families provide housing to Ukrainians who have fled the full-scale war. Starting January 1, 2027, monthly payments to hosts who take in Ukrainians will be reduced from 350 to 100 pounds sterling.
Funding for local authorities will also decrease. Currently, they receive up to 5,900 pounds sterling to cover program-related expenses. In the future, this amount will be 3,300 pounds sterling. The British government is also proposing to change the housing arrangement. Host families may transition to the status of landlords and charge Ukrainians rent.
The Department for Housing, Communities, and Local Government explains that the changes are part of the program’s transition from emergency aid to a more sustainable system. “The UK’s commitment to supporting Ukrainians remains unwavering, and the Homes for Ukraine program remains open. These changes are intended to ensure the long-term future of the scheme while maintaining the support of sponsors, hosts, and councils,” said a spokesperson for the department.
At the same time, the decision has raised concerns among both Ukrainians and the British families hosting them. For some Ukrainians, the issue of housing could become particularly challenging. This applies, in particular, to the elderly or those with health issues. If free housing ends, they may not be able to afford rent on their own.
The Homes for Ukraine program was launched following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It enabled British families to host Ukrainians in their homes and apartments. To date, the program has provided support to 181,000 of the 234,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in the United Kingdom.
In total, the British government has allocated more than 1.81 billion pounds to the Homes for Ukraine program. The changes are set to take effect in early 2027. At the same time, the program itself will continue to operate, and British authorities say they want to transition it into a long-term initiative.
Temporary Protection for Ukrainians in Europe
Homes for Ukraine is one of the programs that has enabled Ukrainians to live temporarily in the United Kingdom since the start of the full-scale war. A key feature of the program was that ordinary British families provided housing to Ukrainians, while the government reimbursed part of the associated costs. The changes, set to take effect in 2027, effectively mean a reduction in government support for host families. However, the British government emphasizes that the program is not being shut down, according to The Guardian.
