Finding a safe home report

Key findings

1. Displaced Ukrainians have experienced significant uncertainty and too many ‘what ifs’ have made it hard for people to plan ahead.

This is partly due to the lack of a longer-term plan for securing accommodation in the UK and has been exacerbated by Ukrainians only having short-term leave to remain in the UK.  

2. Displaced Ukrainians spoke of a clear link between emotional and physical safety.

Emotional safety felt achievable only when displaced Ukrainians’ living arrangements were secure, they knew what to expect next, and they could plan for different scenarios.

3. Perspectives on ‘welcome accommodation’ provided as part of the super sponsor schemes were mixed.

Analysis showed that while this approach was effective in addressing immediate need, spending a long time in these settings had a negative impact on the wellbeing and autonomy of displaced Ukrainians.

4. Many Ukrainians had a positive experience on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. But there have been weaknesses in the approach to safeguarding and breakdowns in hosting relationships that have led to homelessness.

Safeguarding challenges led to some instances of exploitation and abuse. Solutions included an in-person and multi-agency approach to safeguarding support, as seen in Northern Ireland.

Relationship breakdowns have been caused by insufficient training for hosts, cost-of-living pressures, and guests needing to stay longer than first anticipated due to a lack of other options. Effective solutions included offering training and ‘thank you’ payments to hosts and developing a plan for moving into longer-term accommodation.

5. Most people displaced from Ukraine have experienced challenges in accessing longer-term accommodation.

This was due to difficulties meeting the requirements of landlords, the high cost of living, and a lack of social and affordable housing options. Many initiatives have successfully helped overcome accommodation challenges.

These included providing targeted support to help displaced people rent privately, such as rent deposit and guarantor schemes, and innovative funding solutions to increase housing stock.

6. Disparity in government support across schemes has had a negative impact on integration prospects.

This has particularly affected Ukrainians on the Family scheme, as local authorities have not received integration funding for this group. 

Our recommendations 

We recommend the UK, devolved and local governments work together to take immediate action in four key areas: 

• 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 builds on learning across the four nations of the UK 
• Apply lessons learnt from the Ukraine schemes and explore ways to offer safe routes to others seeking sanctuary