Could you help by hosting Ukrainian guests?
A new incentive scheme to encourage more residents to host Ukrainian guests in the county has launched.
Run by Hertfordshire County Council’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ team, the initiative will make additional payments available to new and existing hosts on top of usual monthly ‘thank you’ payments.
The payments, designed to curb the increased cost of living and acknowledge increased costs during winter months, will be paid automatically to hosts from this month.
From September, hosts existing and new will receive:
· A monthly top-up of £50 per guest, up to a maximum of £200 top-up per month.
· Between October 2023 and March 2024, an additional £50 per person for each Ukrainian guest, up to £200.
Over 1,000 residents have become hosts so far, with many more choosing to be sponsors for those still leaving the warzone. The Homes for Ukraine team are asking residents who have not yet hosted or have previously hosted to consider being matched with a new individual or family, to aid the efforts of the government in receiving families fleeing the war.
Becoming a host enables Ukrainian guests who are already in the county to stay where they have settled in schools, jobs and into communities, with support networks. Find out more on HCC's website.