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Households hosting Ukrainian refugees in Wales will get an extra £150 per month from the Welsh Government.
It means from April, hosts will be paid £500 a month to continue housing people fleeing the war in Ukraine – up from £350.
Nearly a year since the Welsh Government first launched its Homes for Ukraine scheme, it has now pledged an extra £2.5m to councils across Wales to administer the ‘thank you’ payments to hosts.
It forms part of £40m in Welsh Government funding, announced as part of its budget for the new financial year, to support Ukrainians settling in Wales.
Meanwhile, the ‘Welcome Ticket’, which gives Ukrainian refugees free public transport for six months, will also be extended into the next financial year.
So far, more than 6,500 people with sponsors in Wales have escaped the war in Ukraine over the last year.
Wales’ minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said people from across the country have “stepped up, shown true compassion and been there for families forced to flee their homes”.
She continued: “Now, as Putin’s war regrettably continues, we must ensure our guests are able to settle into longer -term accommodation, which means we will progress with the phased move on of guests from our initial accommodation.”
Ms Hutt said £2m will be given to local authorities to help move refugees into longer-term accommodation – which the Welsh Government has labelled a priority.
This includes moving people into private rental sector properties or providing accommodation as part of hosting arrangements – but not social housing.
Meanwhile, a further £2m will split between Wales’ 22 councils in the form of a discretionary fund. This is intended to help with the costs involved in providing services such as education, language lessons and employability programmes for refugees.
Question and answer session
At Caerphilly Miners’ Centre, there is an English conversational club for Ukrainian refugees.
As well as learning English, the group’s sessions are also about helping the Ukrainians settle in, make friends and receive and share advice, as well as connect with people from Caerphilly.
Group members met with Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David for a question and answer session at Caerphilly Library on March 4.
After the session, Dr David said: “We heard first-hand individual experiences of the war in Ukraine. We saw photographs from people who still have family there – some on the front line.
“This was a stark reminder that although many are here and now safe in Wales, for these people the war never ends.”
Dr David continued: “During our session, there was a very poignant and emotional moment which saw a refugee sharing with us her gratitude for how she and others have been welcomed to Wales and offered safety and support, while her father fights in Ukraine.
“This reminded me of the immense pride I have for Wales and for Caerphilly.”
Dr David added: “In times of trouble our communities always pull together – we saw this during the pandemic and again since, with the war in Ukraine. Wales really is a nation of sanctuary.”
The session was also attended by the council’s cabinet member for Housing, Cllr Shayne Cook.
Cllr Cook described the stories he heard at the session as “sobering” and said the council “will provide as much support and guidance as possible, so Ukrainians can settle in and enjoy living in Caerphilly”.
He also thanked Caerphilly residents who have been hosting refugees in their homes “for their kindness and generosity”.
Visit the council’s website for more information on hosting a Ukrainian refugee.
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