The government has launched the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme to enable people living in the UK to open their homes and host those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

We understand that some of our customers may want to help through this route and we are committed to do what we can to support our customers who are interested in taking part.

Sponsors are asked to provide accommodation for as long as they can but it must be for a minimum of at least 6 months and should not charge rent.

What I need to do if I am interested in hosting a family or individual?

If you have registered to the Government scheme to be a host, you must let us know as soon as possible by emailing ukraine.homes@torus.co.uk.

You will need to seek the written consent of Torus as your landlord to any proposed arrangements prior to hosting guests from the Ukraine.

It is important you think through any possible implications of the arrangements for your tenancy or lease.

You should consider what sort of support you can provide or are comfortable with for example you should consider if your home is suitable for a young child, the elderly or people with a disability.

We must be satisfied when considering your request for permission to host that your home is suitable for the number of people being accommodated, their needs and is maintained to an acceptable standard.

Please include your full details, including name, address and contact number in the email and we will contact you back to discuss further and at an appropriate stage arrange to visit your home.

Things to think about

• Offering your home to a stranger for at least 6 months is no small thing. Refugees can be traumatised by the experience of war and having to flee. They may have significant mental health challenges and struggle to adjust to the loss of their home, country and lives. They may be grieving the loss of family, friends and colleagues. They can also feel overwhelmed and guilty about the situation they find themselves in.
• Offering your home is more than just providing a room. It will inevitably interrupt your routines and life, which you should be prepared for.
• It will add to your household costs such as gas and electricity although the £350 monthly payment will help to meet those.
• Your lodger will need time and space to feel secure and to begin to understand how things work in the UK. They will need help with day-to-day tasks, especially if they speak little or no English. They may not wish to talk about what they have experienced and witnessed initially nor how they travelled and escaped from Ukraine to reach the UK as it can be traumatic to recount such experiences.

As this is a changing situation, please find out more and keep checking the gov.uk website:

Homes for Ukraine frequently asked questions.

Homes of Ukraine sponsor guidance

You can register your interest here.

We encourage all those interested in hosting to fully read all the guidance on the links provided.