Lessons from Ukraine scheme can help the UK offer safety to refugees, says British Red Cross

The UK’s experience in offering safety to over 200,000 Ukrainians could help create future schemes for displaced people facing conflict and persecution, says the British Red Cross.

New research launched by the charity looks at the impact of the UK schemes set up to support Ukrainians, which offered visas, some basic financial support and accommodation via relatives, host families or local authorities.

Whilst overall the Ukraine schemes provided a much-needed lifeline to families fleeing conflict, people trying to settle in the UK face too much instability. Since the start of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, over 9,000 Ukrainian families have been at risk of homelessness. This is often due to a breakdown of relationships with host families and difficulties accessing the private housing market.

People who took part in focus groups for the report, Finding a Safe Home, spoke of the challenges they faced:

• One Ukrainian woman applied to 65 housing associations before finding somewhere to live;
• Some people were made homeless at short notice by host families and slept rough. One woman was asked to leave at midnight and slept on the beach with her belongings;
• One woman was offered accommodation online which, on inspection by a voluntary organisation, had been set up for sexual exploitation with a lock on the door and video cameras in the bedroom;
• Precarious living situations have had a significant impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

The Red Cross is calling on the UK government to build on what has been achieved through the Ukraine schemes, to improve the current support available to Ukrainians in the UK and to apply lessons learnt to future resettlement schemes.

Sal Copley, executive director of communications and external affairs at the British Red Cross, said:

“Over two years ago, people in Ukraine had their lives turned upside down. They needed our support and compassion, and the UK became a place of safety for many thousands. However, that safety has not always offered the stability people need to rebuild their lives.

“Too many families have ended up sleeping rough or living in places where they have felt unsafe. This has had a damaging impact on mental health and wellbeing. We need to improve the support available for Ukrainians here in the UK and learn from the Ukraine schemes so we can create more effective safe routes in the future.

“We should celebrate the inspiring efforts made by people and communities across the country to shelter people in need. We have a proud history of helping in crisis when they need it most and more safe routes are an essential part of this.”

Recommendations from the report include:

• strengthen Homes for Ukraine so it protects the safety and sustainability of sponsorship;
• help displaced people access the private rented sector and increase affordable housing stock;
• publish a national integration strategy that promotes more equal support for all displaced people; and
• apply lessons learnt from the Homes for Ukraine scheme and explore ways to offer faster, more effective safe routes to others seeking sanctuary.

 

Case studies

Serhii, 39, Ukrainian father of three, now living in Sheffield

Serhii, 39, a Ukrainian now living in Sheffield visited his local council every Wednesday for six months so that he could get help with securing social housing.

He said: “In my experience I saw that the electronic system wasn’t working really well. One of my friends said that the best time to apply online for an apartment was Thursday at midnight. As at midnight, you could be first in the queue. But if you apply first thing next morning, you can be number 118."

Serhii fled Ukraine in June 2022 with his wife, 6-year-old son, and their 8-month-old daughter. They were matched with a host family in Sheffield under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, moving into their summer house. When the weather grew colder, Serhii applied to Sheffield City Council for accommodation for his young family.

It took six months for them be allocated a flat. Serhii said: "My experience shows that only when I physically went to the local authority and spoke with them face-to-face, only this fact supported us to finally find social housing.”

Veronika, Ukrainian casework coordinator, British Red Cross

Veronika Riepina is a British Red Cross casework coordinator, supporting Ukrainians in Yorkshire. She helps people deal with council tax and benefit systems, but also provides emergency help such as clothing to new arrivals. The most common and stressful issue for people is housing.

She says: “We saw different types of problems in the last two years. There are many people who ended up without any accommodation because the relationship with their sponsors broke up.

“It’s been difficult for people to find other accommodation as some have had issues understanding local authority processes and there is also a language barrier so communication could always be better.

“But the Ukraine schemes were a good thing. They supported so many people.

“The cases we have now at the Red Cross are about last resort, when people just don't know what to do and how to manage their problem. But generally, I see positive impacts and the fact that there are possibilities for people. In terms of Homes for Ukraine, there were problems and things that could be better, but the scheme has been beneficial for so many.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information, interviews or case studies, please contact press@redcross.org.uk

To download the full report go to: www.redcross.org.uk/finding-a-safe-home 

British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk