Support for Ukraine community update for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well as District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.
Contents
Happy New Year…………………………………………………………………1
Homes for Ukraine 2024 Host Survey……………………………………….2
Landlord Incentive Scheme..………………………………….….…….……..2
Reminder – Refugee Host Support Services………….……………..……..3
We hope you all enjoyed the festive break with your guests. We reiterate our grateful thanks to you all for continuing to work with us in the Homes for Ukraine scheme in South Cambridgeshire, and we wish to reassure you of our support in the coming months as we hope and pray for a resolution to the conflict in 2024.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is conducting a new host/sponsor survey for 2024. Following the announcement that host ‘thank you’ payments have been extended to year 3 of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we wanted to give hosts a chance to update the date until which they wish to continue to host. This enables SCDC to plan to provide the support to guests who need to move on. There is also an opportunity to provide SCDC with your feedback on the Homes for Ukraine scheme so far.
If you have already completed this survey, we thank you for taking the time to do so. If you have not, then please follow the below weblink, the survey will take no more than 5 minutes to complete:
South Cambridgeshire District Council has recently launched a Homes for Ukraine Landlord Incentive Scheme.
Landlords who provide properties in South Cambridgeshire to Homes for Ukraine guests who are resident in South Cambridgeshire will qualify for a financial incentive. These incentives differ depending on the size of the property, and if they provide the property at market rent or at local housing allowance. The landlord must also provide a minimum tenancy of 6 months from the outset. Please see the below table that details initial payments for a 6-month tenancy:
| Number of bedrooms | Market rent incentive | LHA rate incentive |
| 1 Bedroom | £1,140 | £2,280 |
| 2 Bedroom | £1,300 | £2,600 |
| 3 Bedroom | £1,350 | £2,750 |
| 4 Bedroom | £1,410 | £2,820 |
South Cambridgeshire District Council will help to source a Homes for Ukraine tenant if one is not lined up, and will also provide assistance with setting up the tenancy agreement if this support is required.
If you would be interested in signing up for this scheme, please complete the online form by following this link. Alternatively, you can contact the team at HFULiaison@Scambs.gov.uk or call them on 01954 713411.
Reminder: Refugee Host Support services
We’d like to remind you of the free service available to you through our partnership with the Refugee Host Support service. This free service provides help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes:
- 24/7 assistance with unlimited access to accredited and qualified counsellors or psychotherapists.
- Cognitive Behavioural therapy to help overcome common mental health problems.
- Advice lines, including financial, legal, consumer and career advice.
- Discounts at applicable brands.
Please look at this video tour to view the full package of support that this service offers. To sign up to the service, complete the online form using the reference word Anglesey
You will then receive a welcome email giving you all the information you need. You will also have immediate access to the Supporter Plan brought to you by www.refugeehostsupport.co.uk.
Your Homes for Ukraine guests also have access to a dedicated service tailored for them, and we would encourage you to let your guest know about this. They will be able to access 24/7 advice lines with Ukrainian speakers, online Ukrainian support groups, and have access to online therapy should it be needed. Details have been sent directly to all Ukrainian guests via email.
Thank you once again for your on-going support.
Best wishes,
Bill Handley
Lead Cabinet Member for Communities
South Cambridgeshire District Council