Portsmouth City Council has pledged to increase the amount paid to about 80 hosts of Ukrainian refugees by ยฃ100 per month for six months.
The hosts have been receiving ยฃ350 a month from the Government since their guests arrived on the Homes for Ukraine visa scheme.
The first of 79 groups to come to Portsmouth arrived in mid-April. Hosts will receive enhanced monthly payments after they have accommodated guests in their homes for six months.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said: “I am pleased to announce that we will provide an extra ยฃ600 to hosts in Portsmouth this winter to help cover the increased fuel and food costs they will face, and as a ‘thank you’ for their continuing support of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“The war in Ukraine shows little sign of deescalating, and so Portsmouth City Council will continue to demonstrate its support for her citizens by making them as comfortable as possible during their stay here.”
The additional monthly payments will be made from funding already allocated to Portsmouth to support this visa scheme. Hosts are obliged to accommodate their guests for six months, and the majority in Portsmouth are expected to continue as hosts into 2023.
Since the initiative began, there have been offers from 108 homes in the city to host Ukrainians. It remains open if anyone else wishes to sign on as a host with the potential to be selected if the scheme continues to expand. The Government’s information and application details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine