Earn £6,000 tax-free by hosting Ukrainian guests
under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
for the next 12 months
We are appealing again to the generosity of our residents to come forward to host Ukrainian families and individuals in need who initially arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
We particularly need hosts for Ukrainian guests who have already settled in Hampshire, but are seeking new accommodation because their initial six month hosting arrangement has come to an end. We call this ‘rematching’ guests with new hosts.
Many Ukrainians have found work locally and may have children at school, so need less support than someone just arriving in the country. We’ll rematch you to guests that suit your circumstances, usually with the opportunity to meet the previous hosts before the arrangement is finalised.
You’ll either be new to hosting or may have previously hosted but have taken a break. You’ll have a spare room(s), self-contained annexe or even an empty second home, and be able to provide at least six months’ stable accommodation. The space must be safe, heated, and give your guest(s) adequate access to appropriate bathroom and kitchen facilities.
You can read the Government’s Homes for Ukraine sponsor guidance to understand more about the things you need to consider before hosting
Help a family or individual in need
Ukrainian guests can be single adults or adult siblings, families with or without children, or sometimes adult friends.
Rematching guests whose initial arrangement has come to an end is a priority to prevent them becoming homeless.
Hosts we’ve spoken to have enjoyed discovering more about the Ukrainian way of life and language. Your guest(s) will also be curious about English customs and traditions. There’s an opportunity to share conversations about food, heritage and values, and establish lasting friendships.
“We were able to give this mum and son a safe haven”
Alan and Jayne, hosts
“I’m making the world a slightly better place”
Janie, host
“We’ve got two honorary grandchildren”
Martyn and Anne, hosts
Receive £500
a month as
a thank you
Thank you payments of £500 a month are available from Hampshire County Council. Payments are made directly into your bank account on the last working day of the month. You will be eligible if your guest(s) has lived in your accommodation for at least half of the month. All relevant home visit checks must have been completed before they move in.
Payments are tax-free and do not affect your entitlement to benefits or council tax status. You cannot charge your guest(s) rent for the first six months of hosting. You can find more information here: Sponsor payments - common questions and answers.
Thank you payments will reduce to £350/mth from April 2026.
How do I get started?
1. Record your interest in becoming a host on the Government’s Homes for Ukraine website.
2. Contact your district or borough council to see if they can ‘rematch’ you with Ukrainian guest(s) who are already in Hampshire but are seeking new accommodation because their initial Homes for Ukraine hosting arrangement has come to an end.
Please click your local authority below to find out who to contact. If you are unsure on your local authority, visit gov.uk/find-local-council to find out.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
East Hampshire District Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Fareham Borough Council
Gosport Borough Council
Hart District Council
Havant Borough Council
New Forest District Council
Rushmoor Borough Council
Test Valley Borough Council
Winchester City Council
- 3. We will arrange home visits, including an accommodation review, safety and wellbeing checks, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
DBS is a national verification process which the Government has made mandatory to ensure that people and families arriving from Ukraine are safe.
At this point we will provide additional information to help you in your role as a host, including the financial support available.
4. We will arrange a follow-up visit once your Ukrainian guest(s) have arrived.
5. The fire service will also conduct a ‘Safe and Well’ visit to check the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of space do I need to host?
You can host a family or individual in a spare room(s), annexe, or even a second home. The size and amenities you offer depend on what you're comfortable with and what you have available. The space must be safe, heated, and give your guest(s) adequate access to bathroom and kitchen facilities.
How long do families typically stay?
Stays are for a minimum of six months. You can discuss the duration that works for you at the beginning, so expectations are set accordingly.
What if I don't speak Ukrainian or Russian?
No worries! Many Ukrainian guests have some English proficiency, which is improving all the time, especially if they have children at school here. Hosts and guests can usually find a way to communicate despite language barriers. There are also translation apps available.
How do I ensure safety for both my family and the guest(s)?
We prioritise safety. The Ukraine and UK government complete security checks on guests. Hosts have the opportunity to meet guests before hosting arrangements are finalised. For your guest(s), we arrange home visits including an accommodation review and initiate the start of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before they move in.
What responsibilities do hosts have?
As a host, you'll provide a safe and welcoming space that’s heated, and give your guest(s) adequate access to appropriate bathroom and kitchen facilities. Beyond that, you can agree your expectations together. For example, some of our hosts retain a living space for their sole use. And while it's a kind gesture to share some meals, it's not mandatory and your guest(s) may prefer to cook their own food. You can discuss all these arrangements with your guest(s) beforehand.
Can I set my own rules and boundaries?
Absolutely. You're in control of your hosting experience and can set the house rules. Some hosts draw up an agreement with their guest(s) covering expectations around keeping things clean and tidy, and about noise and visitors. Communicating openly with your guest(s) will help ensure a comfortable stay for everyone.
What support is available for hosts?
Apart from the financial support and home visits from council officers, we provide a welcome pack with lots of useful information in it. Most district and borough councils and libraries run regular events that hosts can attend, such as drop-in sessions and coffee mornings.
You can also read our guidance for Ukrainian guests which shows the sort of issues your guest(s) will be facing and may need your support with.
How are payments handled?
You will receive a monthly thank you payment directly into your bank account on the last working day of the month. The County Council will write to you to let you know how we will gather your information to process your payments, which start once all relevant home visit and safeguarding checks are completed and your guest(s) has lived in your accommodation for at least half of the month.
For more details see Sponsor payments - common questions and answers.
How do you manage my personal data?
The County Council privacy notice sets out how we use and keep any personal data we hold about sponsors.
When will thank you payments finish?
Thank you payments to hosts will continue for the duration of your Ukrainian guests’ visa permission to stay in the UK. Ukrainians with visas expiring within 28 days are able to apply to extend their permission to stay for up to 18 months under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.
How will hosting affect my council tax status?
If you're hosting Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, it won’t affect your council tax status. You won't lose council tax discounts or exemptions, if you have them. For example:
Single person discount: If you live alone and host a Ukrainian guest under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, you will still be eligible for the single person discount.Exemptions for unoccupied properties or specific classes of occupied properties: These exemptions will continue if you are hosting under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
You can ask your district or borough council for detailed guidance, using the contact details above.
