Homes for Ukraine

Local residents (sponsors) have stepped forward to host Ukrainian families (guests) in their homes and properties. This is to help provide much needed stability to allow families to plan their futures.

The government launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme in 2022 and we have worked with Hampshire County Council and others to help make the scheme a success.

This scheme is coordinated by Hampshire County Council, please visit Hampshire County Council’s guidance for sponsors page for more information.

Numbers of guests in Aldershot and Farnborough

As of 31 December 2025, 186 Ukrainian guests arrived in Rushmoor since the beginning of the scheme. A few of them remain with their hosts, others have returned to Ukraine, moved to private rent, or moved to other areas.

Please see the government's Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme statistics for more information.

Current status of the Homes for Ukraine scheme

The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, but has become more focused as the conflict continues and visa arrangements have evolved. Ukrainians arriving through the scheme are now typically granted 18 months permission to stay in the UK and are expected, where possible, to move towards independent living during or after their sponsorship period.

Most guests initially received three years’ permission to stay in the UK. As these visas expire, eligible guests can apply for a Ukraine Permission Extension visa, which provides a further 18 months’ permission. Applications must be made before the existing visa expires. 

In September 2025, the government announced that a second extension of two additional years will be allowed in future.

On 24 February 2026, the government announced that applicants will be able to apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme up to 90 days before their current Ukraine scheme permission expires. This will apply to applicants either extending their permission or applying for the first time. Submitting an application early, within the 90 day period, will not reduce the total permission granted; any remaining period of permission on the guest’s current status will be added to the new period of permission, if the application is successful. 

Please visit the Apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - GOV.UK for more information and to apply.

Moving on from the scheme

The scheme does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement, and time spent in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes does not count towards indefinite leave to remain.

Ukrainians who want to settle in the UK, can apply for permission to stay in any immigration category where they meet the criteria (for example, a skilled worker visa or spouse visa).

Become a Homes for Ukraine sponsor

The Homes for Ukraine scheme offers Ukrainian nationals a way to come to the UK. They will stay with someone willing to provide them with a home, for a minimum of six months.

The scheme matches Ukrainian nationals that do not have families already in the country to:

• Sponsors
• Charities
• Businesses
• Community groups

There is a need for more sponsors to come forward in our local area and to offer accommodation for Ukrainian families.

We recommend both sponsors and guests to read the government information on private renting advice, to make sure everyone understands their responsibilities.

Information for sponsors

Hampshire County Council coordinates the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Aldershot and Farnborough. Please visit the Hampshire County Council - guidance for sponsors pages for full information about the scheme.

Thank You payments

Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, sponsors are eligible to receive an optional monthly Thank You payment for the duration of their guest's visa permission.

This is currently paid at £350 per month. 

If a guest moves from a Homes for Ukraine visa onto a Ukraine Permission Extension visa, sponsors may continue to receive £350 per month for up to 18 months during the UPE period, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.

However, sponsors and guests who are in a close family relationship are not eligible to receive Thank You payments.

All payments are managed by Hampshire County Council.

For more information, visit the government guidance on Thank You payments.

Planning for when Thank You payments end

Where a guest moves from a Homes for Ukraine visa onto a Ukraine Permission Extension visa, Thank You payments continue only for the duration of the first UPE visa, which is up to 18 months.

Thank You payments will then end automatically at the end of that first UPE visa period, even if the guest remains living with their original sponsor.

These changes are intended to support guests and sponsors during a planned transition towards independent living, rather than long-term hosted accommodation.

Where Thank You payments end, sponsors and guests may wish to consider alternative housing arrangements such as moving to a private renting arrangement under the government’s Rent a Room scheme.

Please read the guide for letting rooms in your home - GOV.UK and Shelter's guide for lodgers for more information.

The law around rent has recently changed and landlords need to be aware of these changes. Please visit new rights and responsibilities for landlords - GOV.UK for more information.

Help with council tax

If your guest has a Ukraine Permission Extension scheme visa, it will not affect the council tax discount or exemption that you have.

If you are eligible for the thank you payment because you are a Homes for Ukraine host, the following will apply:

• Your guest is disregarded for the purposes of council tax. This protects your single person discount (or the 50% discount received by households where all the occupants are already disregarded)
• The bill of guests forming their own household in accommodation provided by you will be reduced by 50%
• Your guest will not affect any council tax exemption you have on your accommodation

If your guest leaves the Homes for Ukraine scheme, for example moving to their own property, part way through a calendar month, the discounts or exemptions above will expire at the end of that month.

Please see the government’s Council Tax information letter 3/2025: Ukraine Permission Extension council tax regulations for more information.

Information for Ukrainian guests

Hampshire County Council coordinates the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Aldershot and Farnborough. Please visit the Hampshire County Council - guidance for guests pages for full information about the scheme.

Finding a new sponsor

Your sponsor may be happy for you to continue to stay with them for longer than six months, but not every sponsor will be able to offer accommodation for longer. We encourage guests to plan with their sponsor for what happens next.

Hampshire County Council look after Homes for Ukraine re-matching register in our area. They do not currently have any alternative sponsors on the re-matching register in Aldershot and Farnborough. If you are concerned about where you will live after your sponsorship ends, please contact our housing options team on 01252 398 634.

There are some other places that may be able to help you too:

• City of Sanctuary's list of local refugee support and solidarity groups
• Vita Network safe refuge

Council tax discount

If you are a Ukrainian guest living here under the Homes for Ukraine scheme you can get a 50% council tax discount on your accommodation.

If you move to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme your discount will stay, if you live at your host’s accommodation. However, if you move out of your host's accommodation, for example into private rent, the council tax discount stops.

If you are living in private rented accommodation and need council tax support, please contact our benefits team at benefits@rushmoor.gov.uk.