The UK has launched its Homes for Ukraine scheme to help those who have been forced to escape the country following Russia's invasion.
The scheme will offer a route to those looking to come to the UK who have someone already living in the country willing to provide them with a home.
Among those involved in supporting the scheme include charities, community groups and businesses who will all volunteer to provide accommodation and a route to safety for Ukrainians.
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The government's Homes for Ukraine website went live on Monday afternoon.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: "The courage shown by the Ukrainian people in the face of devastation caused by the invasion of their great country is nothing short of remarkable.
"The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of helping others in their hour of need and our new Homes for Ukraine scheme offers a lifeline to those who have been forced to flee.
"I’m asking people across our country who can provide a home for Ukrainians to consider being sponsors."
Those looking to volunteer their home to accommodate Ukrainians escaping the conflict will be known as 'sponsors' under the scheme and are being asked to provide accommodation for as long as they are able - a minimum of six months is expected.
The government has also announced that the number of arrivals will be directly linked to how many sponsors make themselves available.
Local Government Association Chairman, James Jamieson said: "The humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukraine invasion is heart-breaking. Councils are ready to help new arrivals from Ukraine settle in the UK and to support communities who wish to offer assistance to those fleeing the devastating conflict.
"Councils will be central in helping families settle into their communities and access public services, including schools, public health and other support, including access to trauma counselling."
In return for sponsoring someone under the new scheme, individuals will receive £350 a month.
Here's all you need to know about the new refugee scheme.
Who is eligible to be a sponsor?
According to the government, anyone in the UK (of any nationality and any immigration status providing they have at least six months leave to remain in the UK) with a spare room, or separate self-contained accommodation that is unoccupied can come forward to help.
Accommodation must be available for at least six months, but you can be a sponsor for longer.
The accommodation must be fit for people to live in, and suitable for the number of people needing to be accommodated.
How do I register to become a sponsor?
If you already know of someone you would like to sponsor under the scheme, the government urges you to contact them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application with all their details and yours. Visa applications will go live on Friday, March 18.
On the other hand, if you would still like to sponsor someone but don't know anyone, you should get in touch with charities, faith groups or local community organisations. They are likely to have already begun making connections with those in need and can help with the matching process.
For now, the government will only match sponsors to named individuals.
However, if you want to host a refugee but have not made contact with anyone, you can record your interest to sponsor someone. You can do that online here from today, and you will be kept up to date on the scheme.
Can you state your preferences during the application process?
During the first phase of the scheme, sponsors can only be matched with a particular named person or a named family.
So it is up to sponsors to consider what sort of support they are best able to provide.
More details on later phases of the scheme will be provided at a later date.
What checks will be in place?
Everyone who applies to the scheme will be subject to a range of checks, including those in the sponsoring household and those coming to the UK.
Eligibility checks will be carried out which may well include a visit to your home.
Are sponsors expected to charge rent or provide meals?
The government says sponsors should not charge any rent.
It says the costs associated with helping out can be covered by an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month to people who can accommodate refugees.
The payment is limited to one payment per residential address. They will be made for long as you sponsor somebody for up to 12 months.
Meals do not need to be provided, however, the government says there is nothing stopping sponsors from offering meals should they wish to.
Sponsors will not be expected to cover the costs of food and living expenses, but may wish to offer it.
How many Ukrainians are expected to come to the UK?
Ministers have predicted that tens of thousands of Ukrainians could arrive in the UK under the new scheme.
The government has said that there will be no limit to the number of people accepted on the sponsorship route.
The UK will welcome as many Ukrainians, with their immediate family members, as wish to come and for whom there are sponsors, the information on the website states.
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Read more on Ukrainian refugees here:
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