A mother of three from Ukraine has expressed fears of homelessness or being forced to return to her war-torn homeland as the Homes for Ukraine scheme concludes. Iryna Tyshchenko, who arrived in the UK in April 2022, must leave her host home in Cheshire but has no confirmed alternative accommodation.
The government scheme, launched in March 2022, required UK sponsors to house Ukrainian refugees for a minimum of six months. While over 160,000 refugees have been helped, many now face an uncertain future as sponsorships end. Some councils have increased the monthly £350 payment to encourage continued hosting, but this is not a national policy.
Ms Tyshchenko, from Kherson, which was occupied by Russian forces and later retaken, is unable to work due to caring for her infant son and two daughters. She receives Universal Credit and has applied for social housing, but fears being moved far from her daughter's school. She noted that many Ukrainians she knows are considering returning to Ukraine, despite the ongoing war, due to a lack of options in the UK.
Dr Krish Kandiah of the Sanctuary Foundation highlighted the difficulty Ukrainians face in renting properties, while government figures show 4,295 Ukrainian households have received homelessness support. A group of 70 MPs, including former Home Secretary Priti Patel, has written to the government calling for better funding to prevent homelessness and destitution among Ukrainian arrivals.
A government spokesperson stated that councils have a legal duty to ensure no families are left homeless, and that new arrivals can access work and benefits. They added that tariff funding is available to help with deposits and rent advances.
