Since 2022, Torfaen County Borough Council has supported people fleeing the war in Ukraine through the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, working with the UK and Welsh Governments and local partners.
The scheme enables individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to offer accommodation and provide a route to safety for people from Ukraine.
Further details about the scheme and the council’s role are set out below.
Homes for Ukraine is a visa scheme for Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who were living in Ukraine before 1 January 2022. It allows them to come to the UK and live with a named sponsor.
Visa applications are managed by the UK Government. The council provides local checks, support and follow on assistance once a placement is approved.
Carry out accommodation and safeguarding checks prior to arrival
Provides initial support once guests arrive
Helps guests access healthcare, education and local services
Offers advice if a hosting arrangement changes or ends
Works with partners to support community integration
You can apply to become a sponsor if you are able to offer a safe and suitable home to someone from Ukraine and support their visa application.
You must:
Be 18 or over
Be a British or Irish citizen, or have settled status in the UK
Be able to provide accommodation for at least six months
Agree to council accommodation and safeguarding checks
Eligibility rules are set nationally and apply across Wales.
Accommodation must be safe, clean and in good repair, with enough space for the number of people being hosted and access to kitchen, bathroom and living facilities. The council will arrange accommodation checks before guests arrive.
If you are unable to sponsor someone through the visa process but can still offer accommodation, you can register an Expression of Interest (EOI) to act as a host only.
An Expression of Interest allows you to tell the UK Government and the council that you have accommodation available. You are willing to host someone from Ukraine but you do not currently have a named person or family to sponsor.
EOIs are often used to support:
people already in the UK whose placement is ending
rematching where a guest needs to move
Registering an EOI does not guarantee a placement and does not create an obligation to host
You should consider:
The impact hosting may have on your household
Language and cultural differences
The level of support guests may need initially
What happens if your circumstances change
Support and advice are available throughout a placement
Hosts may be eligible for a monthly £350 ‘thank you’ payment while guests continue to live with them, or where the host provides accommodation in another property (an additional property). The local authority administers the payment and it is limited to one payment per household. Eligibility depends on national guidance and the details of the placement.
If you are living in Torfaen under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we can help with:
