Calls for more households to come forward and offer their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war

More households across Wales are being urged to come forward to offer their homes for Ukrainians fleeing the war. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

So far more than 5,650 people from Ukraine, sponsored by the Welsh Government and Welsh households, have already arrived in the UK. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Over 8,200 visas have now been issued to people from the Ukraine who have sponsors in Wales, and the number of arrivals is expected to grow in the coming weeks. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However with the initial six month host period about to come to an end, there is a call from the Welsh Government for more households across Wales to come forward to house those who cannot continue living where they are. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Welsh Government has also partnered with Airbnb to ensure very short-term emergency placements can be provided to prevent homelessness. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt, said: “Thousands of Welsh households sponsored Ukrainians to arrive in Wales and they gave a commitment to host for at least 6 months. As we move into the autumn, we approach the end of that initial period. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We hope hosts and Ukrainians will agree to extend many of those placements, but we need additional hosts to support those who cannot continue living where they are.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“In order to ensure a warm welcome to Wales, I’m issuing an invitation to households across Wales, to come forward an open their homes to welcome those seeking sanctuary. We’re immensely thankful to all those across Wales who are acting as hosts to Ukrainians, but it’s vital that more households to come forward. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I completely understand that there are those who want to help but may not have the resources to do so, given the circumstances we’re all facing with the cost-of-living crisis. But what we all know, and has been proven countless times, is that the people of Wales are one of the most generous across the globe and I’m sure we will step up to the plate once again. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The idea of hosting can be daunting. That’s why we have funded Housing Justice Cymru, to provide a Host Support service which includes expert and reliable information, training, advice and guidance for people hosting, or those considering hosting, Ukrainians in Wales. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We still need many more households to consider whether they could provide a home for those in need. This would normally be a commitment to hosting for six to 12 months. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If anyone is considering this we encourage them to register their interest at gov.wales/offerhome, and to attend one of the ‘Introduction to Hosting’ sessions, facilitated by Housing Justice Cymru. There will be no obligation to continue with the process if you decide it is not for you.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Minister added: “We will continue to communicate with those who host Ukrainians, with updated guidance and information to support the valuable role you are undertaking. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“To all those that are already hosting and to those that are considering hosting, thank you, we owe you all a huge debt of gratitude.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

More information on sessions and training can be found on the Housing Justice Cymru website. The Welsh Government also releases updated guidance for hosts and sponsors at gov.wales/ukraine. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If you cannot host for more than six months but you could offer your property for up to 30 days at a time, you may also be able to contribute. Visit gov.wales/offerhome and follow the link to the Airbnb.org platform. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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