Hosts needed with Ukrainian refugees still arriving

Ukrainian families are still arriving in Derbyshire

Host families still need to be found to house Ukrainian families in Derbyshire more than two years on from Russia’s invasion.

There are about 290 host households already in place said Derbyshire County Council, but about 15 to 20 refugees arrive each month who need homes.

The council on Wednesday approved an increase in “thank you” payments from its share of the national Homes for Ukraine scheme to residents and landlords who are hosting, to £700 a month.

A free bus pass scheme for Ukrainian guests in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire was also extended to March 2025.

Councillor Carol Hart said: “We greatly value the role Derbyshire hosts are playing in providing safe refuge for more than 750 people who came to our county to escape the war in Ukraine.

“Previous enhancements to ‘thank-you’ payments for hosts in Derbyshire has proved highly effective in reducing homelessness, providing stability, and maintaining hosting arrangements.

“As a result, the number of hosts has remained relatively static over the last 12 months.”

Councillor Hart said the increase would bring payments closer to current rental costs, help keep existing homes in the scheme, and attract new households to the scheme.

Anyone wanting to host a Ukrainian family needs to guarantee at least six months of accommodation and agree to provide a basic level of support for their new tenants.

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