More than 100,000 Britons have offered their homes to Ukrainian refugees, Boris Johnson has said.
The Prime Minister said it was “fantastic” and thanked “all the people across the country who have stepped up to offer their help so far”.
A website where people can register their interest in providing housing for at least six months to Ukrainians fleeing war with Russia was only launched at 4 p.m. yesterday.
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove announced on Monday that the Homes for Ukraine scheme was open and said there would be no limit to the number of Ukrainian refugees who can come to the UK.
In the first hour of the website going live, 1,500 people registered their offer of support. Hosts will receive £350 a month for opening their homes to refugees.
Any Ukrainian national or immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, if residing in Ukraine before January 1 of this year, is eligible for the program.
They do not need to have any existing family ties to the UK.
How will the scheme work?
Those in the UK who have a spare bedroom or separate self-contained accommodation that is unoccupied are encouraged to offer to house Ukrainians for a period of at least six months.
In the immediate future, those wishing to make such an offer are invited to register their interest on the new “Accommodation for Ukraine” website.
Under the first phase of the program, offers must be made to one or more specific people.
Charities and other organizations may be able to help those offering accommodation to get in touch with an identified person.
Checks will be carried out on people offering to take in refugees, but Mr Gove said full DBS checks would not be necessary.
Local councils can also check that the proposed accommodation is suitable.
Sponsors can be of any nationality with any immigration status, provided they have at least six months leave to stay in the UK.
It is free for Ukrainians to apply for the program.
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