Supporting Ukraine

The government's guidance offers comprehensive information for Ukrainian nationals arriving in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for guests (opens new window)

Your arrival in Guildford

We expect that your sponsor notifies us of your arrival using our email address ukraine@guildford.gov.uk. If it is your first arrival under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, you will be eligible for a £200 welcome payment from us.

We will also set up a welfare visit in order to see how you are settling in and signpost you to local support groups and services.

Staying with a sponsor/host after six months and ongoing support

Your sponsor/host may be happy for you to continue to stay with them for longer. Not every sponsor/host will be able to offer accommodation after six months. We encourage guests to plan with their sponsor/host for what happens next.

Staying with a sponsor/host as a lodger

If your sponsor/host wants to charge you rent and opt out of Thank you payments, you may rent a room in their house under the Rent a Room Scheme.

You can find advice on lodging on these webpages: Lodging and subletting - Citizens Advice and Lodgers - Shelter England.

Finding a new host

We have a limited supply of alternative hosts on the rematching register. You will be prioritised by risk or emergency basis.

We suggest that your look for a new host among your friends, relatives and colleagues, local faith and community groups, etc.  Please note that a host does not need to be a British or Irish citizen or settled in the UK. 

You should contact a relevant local council to formalise rematching and conduct necessary checks on your new host before you move in. If you have moved to a UPE visa, you can be rematched only if you previously had a Homes for Ukraine visa and are recognised as homeless by the council.

Renting private accommodation

The how to rent in England guide can help you when you are ready and able to move out of hosting arrangements.

Help with your rent deposits

We cannot act as a guarantor, but we may be able to provide financial help with your deposit. This is to assist you to secure affordable private rented accommodation whether you stay in our borough or move elsewhere in the UK. The amount of financial support we provide is dependent on the financial situation of each family/guest. Book an appointment to discuss your options. Contact housingadvice@guildford.gov.uk and provide the following information:

• names, gender and dates of birth for all household members
• current address and move in date/expected move out date (if known)
• sponsor's contact details

Let us know if you need an interpreter for the telephone appointment. 

We also have some useful information in our Guildford and Surrey private renting guide 

Homes for Ukraine furniture grant funding scheme

Ukrainians who came to Guildford under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and are going to move into rented accommodation can request exceptional funding for furniture, white goods, household essentials or flooring. This is a one-off payment granted in exceptional circumstances. The maximum amount is £1000 (£2000 where flooring is required).

Emergency housing if you have been made homeless

You are eligible for emergency accommodation if you have been made homeless. We cannot guarantee accommodating large families as a one group. You may be placed outside of our borough. The time you spend in emergency housing will depend on the availability of other housing.

If you find yourself in a homelessness emergency out of hours, please call 01344 949371. During normal opening hours you can email ukraine@guildford.gov.uk or call 01483 505050.