Support and information for sponsors or those wanting to be a sponsor on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

The Homes for Ukraine scheme is open for applications from Ukrainians with a named eligible sponsor in the UK. If you have found a match with a Ukrainian individual, you can help them apply for the scheme.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows individuals across the UK to offer a room or home to Ukrainians escaping the war, regardless of whether they have ties to the country. Sponsors should provide accommodation for as long as they are able, but the expectation is a minimum of six months. Individuals that want to be sponsors will be required to undergo safeguarding checks, including a DBS check and property inspection, before they are accepted. 

The Government have also gathered together all the useful guidance a Homes for Ukraine sponsor might need.

You can contact UK Visas and Immigration by phone: +44 808 164 8810.   

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.30pm. Calls are free of charge. 

The Council will carry out the following checks to ensure you meet the criteria to be a sponsor on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Accommodation checks

Accommodation checks will be carried out by your local Council.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

We will request either a Basic DBS or Enhanced DBS check, depending on the circumstance, to confirm your eligibility to register for the scheme. More information at can be found at GOV.UK.

Welfare checks

A welfare check will be carried out once guests have arrived at the accommodation. Where possible all guests should be present for the visit and it is an opportunity for guests to find out more about the support that is available, and how they can access it.

If your guests have not yet arrived and your or your guests' circumstances change

You will need to update or withdraw the Homes for Ukraine application online or call UK Visas and Immigration on: +44 808 164 8810 in addition to contacting the Solihull Homes for Ukraine team: refugees@solihull.gov.uk

If your guests have already arrived and your or your guests' circumstances change

Please get in contact with the host support team at Entraide: H4UH@entraideuk.org.uk in addition to contacting the Solihull Homes for Ukraine team: refugees@solihull.gov.uk.

In any circumstance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Solihull Homes for Ukraine Team: refugees@solihull.gov.uk.

Each lead sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme is entitled to an optional 'thank you' payment of £350 per month, for as long as the guests remain in their accommodation. This payment will be tax free and should not affect the sponsor's entitlement to benefits or council tax status.  

The 'thank you' payment is limited to one payment per residential address, regardless of the number of guests being hosted, size or location of the property.    

The 'thank you' payment will be paid in arrears directly into the lead sponsor's bank account and once the following checks have been completed:  

• the local council has visited your property to make sure it is suitable for the guests
• the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check has been passed by all household members over the age of 16
• the guests are confirmed to have arrived

Solihull Council is responsible for administering the 'thank you' payment in Solihull.  

If you have any queries about the payment process, you can contact the Solihull Homes For Ukraine Team by email: refugees@solihull.gov.uk.

Solihull Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Entraide, providing dedicated support to the hosts on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

To get in contact with the Homes for Ukraine host support team, please email: H4UH@entraideuk.org.uk.