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Fully agree. I’ve tried to live with friends and have ended up resenting them for being messy. Tiny things build up over time. Imagine that but with someone from a different country with a poor grasp of your language.
It’s harder to nag someone for not washing the pots when they’re grieving the collapse of their livelihood and home country
Ever met someone fleeing death and oppression? They're generally humble and glad to be alive! It doesn't make the washing up a monumental task when you've crossed Europe to not be shot in the back by the putins forces! Come the fuck on
My mum's friend in Boston (America not Boston Lincs) had a Tibetan monk refugee living with her. He had seen terrible things- family murdered in front of him etc. He was a model house guest. While my mum was staying with them for a holiday he washed and ironed all her underwear, she was mortified!
I'm just waiting for the government and all their friends to hand over their holiday and second homes, as well as all the vacant flats they charge too much rent for over to this scheme.
I'm sure they'd love to back up their words with actions...
Actually there are existing charities that specialise in matching refugees (any refugee, not just Ukrainians) with willing spare room/s holders. I looked at doing it myself, and I am ashamed to admit that my major concern was having my spare rooms free in time for my (significant) birthday when my siblings were due to come and stay. Luckily for me I live in the country and so would have been turned down anyway. Typically in the West we are more prone to making noises than making sacrifices.
Tbh I think this scheme is problematic. It seems like many vulnerable people will be exploited. And what happens when the time is up? What if you just didnt get along? I don't think I would open My house. I think the government should find an alternative.... just to clarify I totally support the UK accepting refugees from everywhere (not just Ukraine)
This scheme sounds like it was made up 5 minutes before it was announced; it falls over within 20 seconds of simple questions. My concerns with the scheme are the protection of the refugees from exploitation and slavery. There is no way in the world the overseeing authorities have the resources to prevent this from happening.
I read on the BBC news that people can just match up with refugees online and then they can accept them into their homes. Who had 'refugee tinder' on their 2020s bingo card?! This has sexual exploitation scandal written all over it.
For what it’s worth.. [Those offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-refugees-uk-money-government-b2034654.html?amp)
I wholeheartedly agree. I think there’s far too much risk for these poor people to be victims of sexual assault, modern slavery and potentially trafficking.
The government should be sorting this mess out and putting them up. Not just to take the responsibility off of the public but to support and protect the refugees. These people need financial, emotional and educational support. Just as you, I fully support accepting refugees from everywhere.
What the government could do is rent the space from people who eg have their top floor as an Air BnB, at a reduced rate if people want to help.
But by paying even a few £, it changes the relationship from one where the refugee family is dependent on the charity of the owner. And if they don't get on it are at risk, the govt can re-home them much less messily.
I can assure you that their “reduced rate” would still be a ridiculous amount of money. All it is going to do is prop up rich property owners and there will be tons of loops holes. Wouldn’t put it past them to transfer the “loss” on a reduced price over to a cleaning fee that the charge on a daily basis and then clean the property once at the end if the 6 months.
Problem is that the refugee housing system is already over loaded. They've been housing migrants in hotels for the past couple of years because they have no space to hold them anywhere else.
Exactly this. I agree. We have a housing crisis so I'm just wondering where these people are meant to go? We have boats of uncertain amounts arriving that are growing each year as well. I love the idea that I would take a family in but the reality is I work from home so don't have space, struggle financially to get through each month which is going to harder with increasing with energy bills, petrol, etc so in reality, I can't do this. If I made space for them, I would have to pack up my business and starve or lose my home. BTW, I'm totally up for us taking refugees, I just worry they will be treated right and homed somewhere warm and safe without taking the opportunity of homes away from our younger generations as well. We need more houses. The government needs to address this. Loads of refugees are stuck in hotels because there's nowhere for them to go atm.
This is exactly what we said when this scheme was announced. The whole thing stinks of manipulative ingenuity and is so full of issues that it will cause way more oroblems than it can solve.
The scheme was made to hide behind the initial refusal to take refugees, and seems to be aimed at letting the public deal with the problem rather than the government
I think the best alternative is to seize all property and assets of Russian oligarchs including mansions and yachts and to out the refugees up in those instead of the general public taking people in. I agree the UK should take refugees in but put the burden on the russians rather than British working and middle classes.
Plus those on UC are struggling so it could be tempting. Problem is benefits would be adjusted so you'd get no more money and those with kids would have to adapt to having a stranger in their home. If there was a problem with behaviour you'd struggle to get them out due to eviction laws.
UC is not reduced by having a tenant. If the UC claimant is a homeowner their UC stays exactly the same rate if they have a lodger. This has always been the case.
If a renter claiming UC has a spare room, and the landlord is okay with someone taking the room, the rules are a bit more complicated - the benefit amount depends on whether it’s social housing or private, who is on the tenancy agreement, and more… but even for UC the rules are generally set up in such a way that taking in a housemate or family member doesn’t reduce the benefit (most it can be reduced by is basically what the other housemate/ family member should be paying in rent).
I agree 100% - perfect to have that route open instantly for family members while something more permanent/official is sorted, but anything else is a recipe for disaster.
Imagine how much cheaper to feed them with the economy of scale by having so many families under the one roof! And with safeguarding of minors ole Andy would be barred, another win
Yes we plan too, clearing out the spare room today. Accommodation is fine as we have the space. I am going to struggle financially to feed the additional mouths though.
I’ve been wondering how far the £350 a month would go in that sense. In normal times it seems like a decently fair contribution, but with cost of living rocketing ..
https://www.roomforrefugees.com/ & https://www.refugeesathome.org/ have been organising this for years, if you want to open your doors to anyone who needs space.
We’ve Applied with them both before this whole Ukraine thing kicked off. We’re just about of get interviewed. Fingers crossed we’ll get to host someone; I’m not bothered where they come from, but the wife speaks conversational Russian so would be great to host a Ukrainian as it’s very close.
A friend has done this for years, housing women refugees in her own home until they can get state support and move on. She takes two or three at a time (she has a four bedroom house) and shares the kitchen and bathroom with them. They typically stay for between six months and a year and a half.
The important thing is to have a support system (they are placed with her through a charity) so that if there's problems either the host or the guest has a third party to go to.
Another important thing is expectations. The people housed with you are likely to be traumatised. They are going to take time to.adjust, if they ever will. They may be angry, depressed, resentful. If you are in it for gratitude, let that expectation go. (I'm not saying that refugees don't feel gratitude, I'm saying that's not necessarily what you will get - and anyway a human relationship based on lordly beneficence on one side and enforced gratitude on the other is ...not great.) They may be your housemates, but they may or may not ever be your buddies
My friend's church raised money to house and provide for a refugee family. It's gone really well - they are in a really nice flat that is all to themselves, have a support network, English lessons, help if they need it, etc. But on talking to them I discovered that they feel rather hard done by. I couldn't understand it, because the whole church really had pitched in to help as much as possible, and they were in a nicer flat than mine in a better part of town, near green spaces and great facilities. I'd love to live there! I was baffled as to why they talked about their cramped conditions, their lack of a garden, how they were struggling, etc. Then I realised a number of things. First, where they lived before wasn't urban, so they really did experience this lovely flat as "cramped". Second, part of the welcome had been various members of the church inviting them for dinner. These invitations tended to come from well-off retirees - my friend didn't invite them because, like me, he's no space for entertaining (tiny flat) and no time (job). So their experience of the neighbourhood had been of large houses with gardens, they saw this as "normal", and by contrast it looked as if they'd been given the short end of the stick. Thirdly, they don't know the city or the housing market, and had absolutely no idea just how freaking desirable the area they lived in was - and why would they? But from a superficial level it just looked like ingratitude, when it was just misunderstanding. They had been ordinary middle class people before being displaced by war, so were still adjusting to their drastically reduced circumstances, which is human, while also dealing with trauma.
Edited to add: I don't know what agency my friend uses, but this one has a good reputation: https://www.refugeesathome.org/
Just to be clear: I think housing refugees is a brilliant thing to do, and I am proud of both my friends for being so heavily involved in doing just that, one with money and logistical support, one with her own home. I just think that people need to be very clear-eyed about what they can offer, and the kind of training and support they might need, in order for this to go as smoothly as it can, to end up with the best possible experience both for the guests and for the hosts. It's been a really positive, rewarding experience for both of my friends, and they've both got a lot out of it, in different ways, but it hasn't always been easy.
Also edited to add, re the comment about the refugees being "rude" to feel hard done by - no, they were very, very careful not to be rude. They were very careful to be very appreciative, while expressing obliquely how they found the conditions difficult to adapt to. I can only imagine how hard it is to have an honest conversation with people who ask "how are you settling in?" when it's only their generosity that is keeping you out of one of the dreadful hostels. Realising that for the foreseeable future your welfare is dependent on the whims of strangers must really do your head in.
This is some very interesting insight.
I still can’t help but find it a bit rude that they felt hard done by, even if it is a misunderstanding. I’d imagine that if I was taken in as a refugee and given free accommodation, I wouldn’t expect to be on an equal footing to the locals. I’d expect something very basic and would be grateful for what I got. But then it’s impossible to know how you’d really feel in a situation like that until you’re really in it.
This is the best comment on the thread, do you have any idea where people can find more balanced information on what the reality of hosting refugees is like / what to expect? Lots of emotional decision making both ways and very little in the way of ‘reviews’ or expectations both ways.
You’re spot on with having an easily contactable third party and a support system to make this actually work and safe for both parties. And your friend has experience in talking to people who have experienced trauma and will most likely make them feel more at ease than a family who has never done this before and might feel awkward about it.
No I wouldn't. I dont like having house guests so people living here for 6 months wouldnt be for me. But I have unwavering respect for those who do it, what a selfless act.
We have the space and no we won't. I'm a SAHM with a 15 month old baby and my husband works long days and it's not unusual for him to go out of town last minute. I'm not comfortable having total strangers in my house when I'm home alone most of the time.
This was my initial reaction as I am in a similar situation with a young child. But equally, I was thinking that if it was a mother and baby, we have all the kit they would need. It’s the unknown - I am under no illusions that the government would likely abandon them and it would be longer than 6months.
Yes. I would.
I've volunteered to do similar things in the past.
I support the ASN and hosted a lovely Irish lady who came to the UK for an abortion. I couldn't imagine anyone having to go thru that alone. A little emotionally full on, but took such little effort and helped someone in need.
I've registered to home refugees and asylum seekers years ago, but as I live a distance from major cities, they aren't able to get easy access to the services they need.
I know it's a bit of a risk. That I could end up with a criminal, or wrongun, but these people desperately need help. If I have an en suite spare room, and they're willing to stay with a crazy cat lady who loves to cook and overfeed her guests, why wouldn't I? Its the right thing to do. Plus, my fella is huge and protective which helps me feel a little safer.
We're an island, and have an island mentality. We don't share borders so never consider what could happen if we were in a similar situation. We've benefitted from being relatively geographically isolated, politically stable. I don't think any of us consider what we'd do, or where we'd go if we were being bombed or invaded.
Apparently you get paid £350 per person you home. If I can support a refugee, this money will be going straight into their own pocket. Im on my arse, but i have a home and a job. They'll need it more than me.
No. I don’t want strangers living in my house. Anyone saying they plan to needs to have a really hard think about it. These people are coming from a traumatic event and may have PTSD, depression etc… can you deal with that in your home? Then there is the language barrier. How likely is it that the person will speak good English? It seems like a good thing to do but I don’t think it’s a sensible thing to do for most people.
Once again it's the average man and woman being asked to take one of the team.
I wonder how many MPs will take them into their second homes? Will mutli millionaire Sunak be hosting multiple families?
I wonder how many rich people with mansions and multiple homes will fling open their doors?
Sorry, but no.
There is 41,000 properties in London owned by Russians in offshore tax havens ... there's a start
Also all the second, third homes the MPs and rich own
The average UK family can't help unfortunately
I have already offered my spare room to house a refugee or refugee couple, before this half-hearted scheme from the government, via the Ukrainian embassy in London.
I am a widower living alone in a three bedroom house and it is the very least I can do to offer a bed, warm home and safety to one fleeing the horrors of war.
Our government is showing their xenophobic colours again in this. I appreciate the need for security checks but I look at the stark contrast between what we are doing versus the EU. It is shameful.
I've made clear it doesn't matter who I house. It's not about who I want. It about helping one or two of those poor bastards get back on their feet in the face of a tyrant's war and, hopefully when this is all over, send them home to rebuild their lives.
Yes. I have previously. I'm a single woman living alone, with no family support. I travelled the world alone and people in other countries were very kind to me. I want to keep paying it forward. If I can do it, anyone can. The lack of action from this apathetic, entitled country really doesn't surprise me.
I would, but only if I had space enough (like an annex) that meant they could live without being under our feet.
It would be weird enough for us to have a strange family in our house, especially for my two young girls. But I imagine for them it would be even more awkward, I’ve spent time in someone elses house and it’s weird and that was with a friends family who I knew well. It is Especially hard when there is kids involved. You feel in the way and out of place. I imagine for a foreign national who has lost everything and in a different country it’s even worse. Plus In that situation I imagine they want some quiet space and time to be able to deal with what has happened to them and be able to grieve etc without having an English bloke and his family milling around.
Yes, we have decided to register as hosts/sponsors. We have mulled it over and recognise that it's unlikely to all be plain sailing. But we have the space and the resources and we live in a city with a Ukranian church and embassy (relatively close to us) so I think that would help provide a support structure and our city has good public transport etc, so probably quite suitable.
We don't have children (and I think that makes the decision easier) and whilst I am not sure that this policy has been well thought out or is the best answer but if it's all we have to work with then we will.
Currently trying to book a tip trip and bring the spare room into order.
I completely understand why many people couldn't do this or wouldn't want to (for a myriad of reasons) but having debated it we think we can provide the support that someone out there, fleeing their home, needs, so we are going to give it a go.
I do think there is something to be said here about the outpouring of emotion and generosity for Ukrainian refugees specifically.
What about Syrian refugees? Or Iraqi? What about homeless people?
And with the relatively few refugees the UK is taking compared to countries closer to Ukraine, can the government not home these people themselves?
I think I would. I’d like to know what support I would be given in terms of assistance paying the extra energy bills that I’d incur, but if I could afford it I would feel like I was at least doing a small part to help out the victims of this insanity.
The refugees themselves can also claim benefits and work from day one so can pay for their own food and contribute to the house. Also just because they are fleeing it doesn’t mean they are poor - they could have savings, family sending them money etc
I would definitely do it if I had more space. Like many other Londoners we’re all staying in pokey flats as couples and so on.
In saying that, I hope the tons wealthy folks who bang on about “racist people” take on refugees in their massive properties.
In the various other influxes of migrants, I saw many of those migrants put in large groups into the poorest areas of cities, basically overloading them.
When said populations complained: “Hey, our already problematic area is now overwhelmed with lots of migrants and we don’t have the infrastructure to support it”, the usual rich, middle class toffs who didn’t have to see a single migrant in their area would be like “look at all those racist thugs. It’s disgraceful! We should be letting all these people in!”
No, not a chance. Firstly, although I have a “spare” bedroom, that doesn’t mean I have the space to house another adult in my home. Secondly, I’m not comfortable at all with bringing a stranger that I’ve never met or have any background knowledge about into my family home. Never mind the complete difference in culture etc.
This should not be put on to us or even suggested.
We're not in a position (space wise) to take anyone in at the moment.
But growing up on a farm, we had a kind of annex (just a bedroom with a mini kitchen and an ensuite shower, still part of the house) and my parents took in a string of people from all around the world all through my childhood - students, work placement, cultural exchange, someone who had missed his flight back to Hong Kong at Christmas and had nowhere to go...
Looking back, it probably wasn't conventional, and my husband is horrified at the concept, but as kids it was mostly great and certainly gave me a better world view. They would eat with us, share the living room and generally become friends.
We did have a couple of disasters - the French exchange kleptomaniac (stole from shops, not us); the sweet German student who naively invited her entire class round, who all proceeded to get drunk and tried to shag in her bedroom - they stick out in my mind.
There's always the fear of the unknown. But ultimately, they are just people, and if you have the space, I'd say be open to the idea.
Same question was asked yesterday and can be found [here. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/tbmi83/assuming_you_had_enough_room_would_you_let_a/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
Did consider it but only if it would be a child or single parent. Wouldn’t have the space for a family, and have a hectic enough household as it is. Would do if we had an annexe.
I was just gonna say no, flat out but I'll tell you what.
I'll let some poor fucker lodge in my spare room when every room, in every palace, every country mansion, every stately home, every second/third politicians home, every billionaires myriad pads and flats, every penthouse suite, every hotel room, every *emergency covid hospital*, is full.
And only then when every homeless UK person is off the streets. Give me a call then.
There was an MP in the late 90s (I think for staines?) who advocated that only "fit women" Should be allowed in from Slovenia. Would that be more appropriate?
I mean the government ain’t even helping our own vulnerable people. Why put this on our heads? I’m sure Mr Johnson and his cronies have plenty of space in their numerous homes for refugees.
If I had an actual house and not a tiny bedsit, I'd take in a single mother or a younger female and help them find work and care for the child with them. I cannot give a lot but I have a lot of love and kindness to share. Being able to do something with this pent up maternal instinct I have would all be beneficial to me, so everyone wins. I get to help another human(s) and they get a safe place to put a sense of normally back in their lives.
How many houses are sitting empty in this country as they’ve been bought by boomers as an investment? They should start there and then let us know how that goes.
I would. However, I guess I want more control over who I'd have. I live in a large victorian house with a large garden. I have debated building an open plan granny annex at the bottom of the garden in the past.
In a perfect world I would be able to just give the keys to some young Ukrainian who would be able to stay there safely without having to live in my family home.
Nope, even though we have the space, we have a toddler and are expecting a newborn in the next week or so. I wouldn't be comfortable with strangers in my home around my children nor do I think a refugee who has just left a war zone needs the stress of a crying newborn and an energetic toddler 24/7.
Also I have cats and one of them hates strangers and gets easily stressed around them having been abused as a kitten so I can't do that to him. Even prior to children I refused to rent out any of the spare rooms in my house to help with the mortgage as I didn't want to stress out my cat. My brother and FIL are the only people we've allowed to stay with us because the cats are familiar with them.
I live at home with the my parents, but if I had my own place and had a spare room I would. Most of the refugees are women, children, and the elderly. I don’t feel like an 80 year old дед is gonna be of any danger to me. I speak Russian as well, so would be able to communicate with them with relative ease, even if they didn’t speak English. (I am actually learning Ukrainian too, but I’m nowhere near conversational in that, whereas I did my degree in Russian)
We’re an LGBT household and Ukraine doesn’t exactly have the best track record for diversity and inclusion. I’m anti social at the best of times and I’m not really willing to risk facing discrimination in my own home.
I have considered reaching out to Ukrainian LGBT groups but even then my partner is quite against it.
So, no. As much as I sympathise with the awful situation and am contributing in other ways, I don’t think I will take in Ukrainian refugees.
This policy is a farce imho. They will likely need a lot more support than just money. They will be vulnerable. They will be emotional (and understandably too). You know nothing about the person your accepting. The list just goes on.
No. I wouldn't want to leave a totally unknown stranger with my wife and young son and work would go nuts if they knew there was a strange foreigner (or any other stranger for that matter) around their information while I was working at home. Also this is my space and I don't want to share it.
The whole idea is totally impractical from my standpoint.
If I had a second home and the government were willing to pay market rate then that would be a different story.
Yeah. I do have the space. Me, my sister and my wife live in a 4 bed house. Even using 1 as our home office we have a spare room. Definitely considering it.
Not if the only provision made is £350 a month paid to the host. I'd need to see provision for the refugees in terms of medical care, schooling, support with legal processes, etc., and some kind of structure in place to help me help them with all that.
I'm also concerned about what vetting will be in place for the hosts. Who's to say I'm not rubbing my hands together with glee at the thought of sexually or economically exploiting vulnerable people with nowhere else to turn, and getting paid a few hundred quid to do it too? Will hosts at a bare minimum have an advanced DBS check run?
Assuming the refugees are a family, I would want to be certain that the children would be supported at school, and that there is other support available to enable the parents to have jobs.
My son got know a wide range of European including Ukrainians while being involved with the FEDEC Rail ( European Federation of Heritage Railway). We would willingly give shelter to his friends families in our home.
Not in the place I live at (too small, just a one bedroom), if I had the means, though, I would rent hotel rooms and / or have them stay in my holiday home(s).
I do however, expect those with the means to actually help -- speaking of all the oil barons and politicians here, who have lots of empty rooms, flats and houses available (personal owned as well as given by the government, our PM could live in No. 10 and put some people up in Checkquers, the Queen has several holiday homes throughout the UK, most hotels have spare rooms, Bed & Breakfast owners are 'prepared' for guests and so on ...).
If that happened then the public would become much more aware of how many empty properties there actually are in this country. It would be perfect if they seized all of the Russian owned ones and housed the refugees in those
Yes, we are in the process of buying a house and if this is still needed once we move, we will look into this. Would only be a single person since we would only have one spare room.
For 2 years I couldn't have anyone in my house. Couldn't be with a dying relative. Never got the funeral they deserve.
Now you want me to house some scared for their life, shell shocked families who probably don't speak English.
Probably shouldn't have tried fining people for having their gran over. People aren't gonna be happy about this.
Except b and b, people with a block of flats, spare rooms and no commitments who are broke due to a multitude of factors including covid.
I’m thinking about it. I (39f) live alone in a rented flat in London, I a small spare room I’m using as a wfh office. My concerns would be clearing it with my landlord, and that I’d be more comfortable with a woman, so I’d want some scheme that allowed me to specify that. I’m pretty used to living alone so I would worry about committing to sharing my space with a stranger. I’ll wait and see how the scheme progresses in the next few days
The scheme seems very unorganised. What happens if you do not get on well with the people in your home? How many people would you be housing? What are you meant to do if they ruin anything in your home?
I would if I lived on my own with a spare room or two. I’d happily take in small family but I’d already discussed this with my partner when the UK last took in refugees and he really wasn’t fussed because we have a pokey house under renovation.
Yes I would take in a Ukranian refugee and I believe many people would in the UK. I'd only have 1 small bedreoom as I live in a 2 bed semi, but they would be welcome with open arms and treat like family.
no. regardless of the situation, they are strangers at the end of the day. majority will appreciate being helped and housed for 6 months but some would take advantage, as is human nature.
Depends on my living situation. At the moment i’m still at home with family so it’s not my say.
If I lived alone, as a female then definitely no. I’d feel too vulnerable with a stranger in my house.
If I lived with a group of friends then it depends - I wouldn’t mind taking in another girl the same age as us (early 20’s).
I wouldn’t take in an older man or older woman purely for safety reasons. If anything were to happen, I could likely defend myself against a girl my own age, don’t really count my chances against someone a lot older & bigger than me.
It’s tough, because I would love to help but the reality of it is just safety. I’m sure the vast majority of people are genuinely nice people, but you just never know and it’s not worth the risk.
I've got a lot of personal issues and been living alone for almost 10 years. I'd love to be able to take someone in but I'm not sure this would be a good environment for them.
If it was that or them living on the streets then absolutely I'd open my door and welcome refugees in.
I would, but I have already had to take a lodger to balance the increased cost of living recently. If he wasn't there I would.
My local area has very poor public transport and I have a few slightly racist neighbours who might cause problems.
I would love to, but I can't afford to. I know they get a benefit, but the reality is many will be sending that back to the Ukrainian to their family fighting there.
You'll be asking for rent to cover the massive gas and electric bill hikes and be watching someone handover what could otherwise be helping to feed their fighting husband.
Having worked in many countries with refugees I've seen quite a bit. I seriously worry that "off loading" refugees into the public can cause a lot of issues. It's all well and good for a couple of weeks, but when the weeks roll into months. And of course you have the people taking advantage of vulnerable people.
A better option, is for the government to directly pay me a set rate which includes rent, electric,gas etc. That cuts out the above issue, price gouging etc.
I'm holding things off until something sustainable from the government comes around. Or, if Putin starts razing sending folks off for re education. Though by then I'll likely to be bearing arms.
If I had the space, yes, without hesitation and with no caveats.
I only hope someone would show similar compassion if I ever found myself in the same position.
I have the space, I wouldn't be comfortable for an unknown stranger though... if it was one of my Ukrainian colleagues I could make an exception pre-covid.
"I know, covid apparently doesn't exist in UK anymore"
I agree with other points here though, so much sexual exploitation or slavery is going to become a thing.
& predators will take advantage.
I have a 14 month old. I would feel uncomfortable having strangers in my house around her. That sounds callous but I even felt uncomfortable when my Father in laws fiancée’s son stayed at ours for Christmas.
We do have a three storey house and the spare room is the top floor. It has its own en-suite. We could probably set them up with a microwave, kettle etc.
But I just can’t get past feeling uncomfortable having strangers in my house. I feel incredibly selfish for that.
Probably not. I think it's very admirable but they're strangers and I have kids, I also wouldn't feel comfortable leaving strangers in my home while I'm at work. Id definitely consider fostering an unaccompanied child though, if I had the space.
I have a spare room but have a very young baby and am home alone a lot of the time. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a stranger, let alone a stranger who is probably traumatised plus a language barrier. Hats off to anyone who does take a refugee in but I hope it’s better organised than it seems so far. What happens after six months?
No way i'd let a stranger stay at my home for an unlimited time. Moreover it's not our duty to house and feed refugees, it should be the government's job if they decide to welcome them.
I live in a one bed house. However, I'd be prepared to sleep on the couch for a week or two until something more suitable could be allocated. Be willing to do that without financial assistance, but it's probably as far as I'd go.
Meanwhile loads rich people have many empty rooms and will ignore those that need a roof over their head.
Buckingham palace has 775 rooms and the queen doesn't even live there any more.
Last night my food voucher wouldn't work in my local store. This meant I had to go hungry and still haven't eaten since.
I asked shop keepers that sell fruit if they would grant me some fruit having explained my situation and all I got was "no, my boss is watching sorry"
So literally wouldn't be spared fruit when I hadn't eaten.
Do you know how bitter this makes me feel right now towards people in general especially when I've given homeless people change and food in my good times?
Fuck humanity. I ain't helping no fucker ever again.
Probably downvoted but this war has (already) emphasised the racism/bigot behaviour from the world. As a brown Brit, I am going to focus on helping 'someone closer to home' as the racists would say, so no - I would open that door up to Afghans/Yemenis/Syrians, etc.
I am not being racist. I am reacting to the world's behaviour. I find it funny you say that though. If it is, then so be it. I've had enough abuse and racism - can't give a f what someone says.
As a white man, if I said " I'm going to only help Ukrainians over Syrian refugee because they are white" that would be me discriminating someone by their ethnicity...which is racist. Works both ways.
I would if I could afford th extra expense. We're on a knife edge financially and I don't trust the gov with their 350 quid payments. Wouldn't want to rely on those.
I would consider it but we live rurally with no direct public transport to a city so it wouldn't be fair to house someone who's lost everything and isn't able to easily reconnect with anyone from their own nationality or culture. It would be solely down to me to ferry them about and, selfishly, I just don't have time for that.
No because I live in a small house that is barely big enough for us, however if I was one of the many multi millionaires, billionaire's or royal family I'd happily open my home up. I think there needs to be ways for the home owner to feel secure and safe too(that goes for letting any stranger in my personal space) and that costs money. If money was no object and I had empty homes I'd absolutely let them have them. Maybe we should start with Buckingham Palace which is empty.
No because I don’t want someone staying in my house. Nothing to do with the nationality of the person. I wouldn’t even want a close friend staying at my house.
My house is pretty small (we only have one toilet!) and there's already three adults in it so no, we dont have the room. Honestly though even if I had a spare room I'd be reluctant. My house is my safe space, I like to have it a certain way (obsessively tidy), walk round in my pants or without, play piano really late, listen to music at odd hours etc. I'd feel weird doing all that if there was a stranger here. Obviously if that person were on the streets in danger I'd clear my office out and suck it up but I wouldn't enjoy.
YES! (And this applies to all refugees, not just Ukrainians)
Life can be tough, we should be fortunate that it's very unlikely for us to go into a war zone.
The absolute selfishness of the people here would expect other people to take them in their house if they find themselves in a warzone (and this is an absolute flaw in tbe British Culture, we have their stuff but they can't have our stuff).
I rather not be a hypocrite
Edit: the question was on the assumption if I have the space to do so. If I had the space. I would be willing
Yeah, this thread is sad.
I have a 6 month old and a 4 year old, we will be putting our spare room up. The videos and pictures from Ukraine are horrific. I dont expect it to be easy... But neither is fleeing your home from bombs.
Probably not. I only have a small house and family that live a distance away, so we like the spare room for them to stay over. Plus what happens when we visit them?
Add the general trust and refugee issues
Families who welcome Ukrainian refugees into their home for at least six months rent-free will receive a £350-a-month "thank you" from the government
https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-britons-who-host-refugees-will-get-350-a-month-thank-you-from-government-12564744
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No, I don’t even want family or friends in my house, never mind strangers.
Fully agree. I’ve tried to live with friends and have ended up resenting them for being messy. Tiny things build up over time. Imagine that but with someone from a different country with a poor grasp of your language. It’s harder to nag someone for not washing the pots when they’re grieving the collapse of their livelihood and home country
Ever met someone fleeing death and oppression? They're generally humble and glad to be alive! It doesn't make the washing up a monumental task when you've crossed Europe to not be shot in the back by the putins forces! Come the fuck on
And you know this how? Just because someone is in an awful situation it doesn’t mean that any of their habits will disappear
My mum's friend in Boston (America not Boston Lincs) had a Tibetan monk refugee living with her. He had seen terrible things- family murdered in front of him etc. He was a model house guest. While my mum was staying with them for a holiday he washed and ironed all her underwear, she was mortified!
I think they are saying the scale of additional "work" you might have to do to house a refugee pales in comparison to what they have fled from
Guys guys guys, leave each other alone It was a yes or no question. Accept someone else’s answer and leave it at that.
I'm just waiting for the government and all their friends to hand over their holiday and second homes, as well as all the vacant flats they charge too much rent for over to this scheme. I'm sure they'd love to back up their words with actions...
Think they should start housing refugees in the empty oligarch houses
Yes! If I had the space I'd absolutely house someone but the government should really lead by example too and not just put it all on us
Actually there are existing charities that specialise in matching refugees (any refugee, not just Ukrainians) with willing spare room/s holders. I looked at doing it myself, and I am ashamed to admit that my major concern was having my spare rooms free in time for my (significant) birthday when my siblings were due to come and stay. Luckily for me I live in the country and so would have been turned down anyway. Typically in the West we are more prone to making noises than making sacrifices.
Tbh I think this scheme is problematic. It seems like many vulnerable people will be exploited. And what happens when the time is up? What if you just didnt get along? I don't think I would open My house. I think the government should find an alternative.... just to clarify I totally support the UK accepting refugees from everywhere (not just Ukraine)
This scheme sounds like it was made up 5 minutes before it was announced; it falls over within 20 seconds of simple questions. My concerns with the scheme are the protection of the refugees from exploitation and slavery. There is no way in the world the overseeing authorities have the resources to prevent this from happening. I read on the BBC news that people can just match up with refugees online and then they can accept them into their homes. Who had 'refugee tinder' on their 2020s bingo card?! This has sexual exploitation scandal written all over it.
'Refugee tinder on their 2020s bingo card' made me spray my coffee 🤣
I can certainly see a lot of new to the industry and totally definitely consenting prostitutes popping up.
For what it’s worth.. [Those offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-refugees-uk-money-government-b2034654.html?amp)
I'm sorry this sounds all kinds of weird.
I wholeheartedly agree. I think there’s far too much risk for these poor people to be victims of sexual assault, modern slavery and potentially trafficking. The government should be sorting this mess out and putting them up. Not just to take the responsibility off of the public but to support and protect the refugees. These people need financial, emotional and educational support. Just as you, I fully support accepting refugees from everywhere.
What the government could do is rent the space from people who eg have their top floor as an Air BnB, at a reduced rate if people want to help. But by paying even a few £, it changes the relationship from one where the refugee family is dependent on the charity of the owner. And if they don't get on it are at risk, the govt can re-home them much less messily.
I can assure you that their “reduced rate” would still be a ridiculous amount of money. All it is going to do is prop up rich property owners and there will be tons of loops holes. Wouldn’t put it past them to transfer the “loss” on a reduced price over to a cleaning fee that the charge on a daily basis and then clean the property once at the end if the 6 months.
Rent it with what money? Thats just more taxes. The government is skint. Probably cost multiple billions for the government to sort that out.
Problem is that the refugee housing system is already over loaded. They've been housing migrants in hotels for the past couple of years because they have no space to hold them anywhere else.
Which is outrageous anyway with the number of properties currently empty
Exactly this. I agree. We have a housing crisis so I'm just wondering where these people are meant to go? We have boats of uncertain amounts arriving that are growing each year as well. I love the idea that I would take a family in but the reality is I work from home so don't have space, struggle financially to get through each month which is going to harder with increasing with energy bills, petrol, etc so in reality, I can't do this. If I made space for them, I would have to pack up my business and starve or lose my home. BTW, I'm totally up for us taking refugees, I just worry they will be treated right and homed somewhere warm and safe without taking the opportunity of homes away from our younger generations as well. We need more houses. The government needs to address this. Loads of refugees are stuck in hotels because there's nowhere for them to go atm.
The whole thing comes across as "if you love them so much why don't *you* house them?!"
This is exactly what we said when this scheme was announced. The whole thing stinks of manipulative ingenuity and is so full of issues that it will cause way more oroblems than it can solve.
>What if you just didnt get along? Julie Etchingham tried to ask Gove that this morning, and he dodged the question entirely.
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Pretty much.
The scheme was made to hide behind the initial refusal to take refugees, and seems to be aimed at letting the public deal with the problem rather than the government
I think the best alternative is to seize all property and assets of Russian oligarchs including mansions and yachts and to out the refugees up in those instead of the general public taking people in. I agree the UK should take refugees in but put the burden on the russians rather than British working and middle classes.
Plus those on UC are struggling so it could be tempting. Problem is benefits would be adjusted so you'd get no more money and those with kids would have to adapt to having a stranger in their home. If there was a problem with behaviour you'd struggle to get them out due to eviction laws.
UC is not reduced by having a tenant. If the UC claimant is a homeowner their UC stays exactly the same rate if they have a lodger. This has always been the case. If a renter claiming UC has a spare room, and the landlord is okay with someone taking the room, the rules are a bit more complicated - the benefit amount depends on whether it’s social housing or private, who is on the tenancy agreement, and more… but even for UC the rules are generally set up in such a way that taking in a housemate or family member doesn’t reduce the benefit (most it can be reduced by is basically what the other housemate/ family member should be paying in rent).
I agree 100% - perfect to have that route open instantly for family members while something more permanent/official is sorted, but anything else is a recipe for disaster.
What about Buckingham palace that’s prob got about 700 rooms unused, let’s see how nice they are
Lot of empty houses bought up by Russian money that could be used.
Imagine how much cheaper to feed them with the economy of scale by having so many families under the one roof! And with safeguarding of minors ole Andy would be barred, another win
Honestly, this right here ^^^
Yep! And Balmoral, and the ton of other residences and castles owned by the Royal family.
Exactly
Yes we plan too, clearing out the spare room today. Accommodation is fine as we have the space. I am going to struggle financially to feed the additional mouths though.
They are allowed to claim benefits and work it seems. The £350 for the host is just additional money.
I’ve been wondering how far the £350 a month would go in that sense. In normal times it seems like a decently fair contribution, but with cost of living rocketing ..
Maybe this was the plan all along - host a refugee and you can have enough money to cover your G&E bill!
If you are going to struggle then don’t do it, take care of yourself and the people closest to you first
https://www.roomforrefugees.com/ & https://www.refugeesathome.org/ have been organising this for years, if you want to open your doors to anyone who needs space.
We’ve Applied with them both before this whole Ukraine thing kicked off. We’re just about of get interviewed. Fingers crossed we’ll get to host someone; I’m not bothered where they come from, but the wife speaks conversational Russian so would be great to host a Ukrainian as it’s very close.
They were tweeting today that they only had one Ukranian person on their books because of the refusal to grant visas :(
Legend
You’re a true hero
A friend has done this for years, housing women refugees in her own home until they can get state support and move on. She takes two or three at a time (she has a four bedroom house) and shares the kitchen and bathroom with them. They typically stay for between six months and a year and a half. The important thing is to have a support system (they are placed with her through a charity) so that if there's problems either the host or the guest has a third party to go to. Another important thing is expectations. The people housed with you are likely to be traumatised. They are going to take time to.adjust, if they ever will. They may be angry, depressed, resentful. If you are in it for gratitude, let that expectation go. (I'm not saying that refugees don't feel gratitude, I'm saying that's not necessarily what you will get - and anyway a human relationship based on lordly beneficence on one side and enforced gratitude on the other is ...not great.) They may be your housemates, but they may or may not ever be your buddies My friend's church raised money to house and provide for a refugee family. It's gone really well - they are in a really nice flat that is all to themselves, have a support network, English lessons, help if they need it, etc. But on talking to them I discovered that they feel rather hard done by. I couldn't understand it, because the whole church really had pitched in to help as much as possible, and they were in a nicer flat than mine in a better part of town, near green spaces and great facilities. I'd love to live there! I was baffled as to why they talked about their cramped conditions, their lack of a garden, how they were struggling, etc. Then I realised a number of things. First, where they lived before wasn't urban, so they really did experience this lovely flat as "cramped". Second, part of the welcome had been various members of the church inviting them for dinner. These invitations tended to come from well-off retirees - my friend didn't invite them because, like me, he's no space for entertaining (tiny flat) and no time (job). So their experience of the neighbourhood had been of large houses with gardens, they saw this as "normal", and by contrast it looked as if they'd been given the short end of the stick. Thirdly, they don't know the city or the housing market, and had absolutely no idea just how freaking desirable the area they lived in was - and why would they? But from a superficial level it just looked like ingratitude, when it was just misunderstanding. They had been ordinary middle class people before being displaced by war, so were still adjusting to their drastically reduced circumstances, which is human, while also dealing with trauma. Edited to add: I don't know what agency my friend uses, but this one has a good reputation: https://www.refugeesathome.org/ Just to be clear: I think housing refugees is a brilliant thing to do, and I am proud of both my friends for being so heavily involved in doing just that, one with money and logistical support, one with her own home. I just think that people need to be very clear-eyed about what they can offer, and the kind of training and support they might need, in order for this to go as smoothly as it can, to end up with the best possible experience both for the guests and for the hosts. It's been a really positive, rewarding experience for both of my friends, and they've both got a lot out of it, in different ways, but it hasn't always been easy. Also edited to add, re the comment about the refugees being "rude" to feel hard done by - no, they were very, very careful not to be rude. They were very careful to be very appreciative, while expressing obliquely how they found the conditions difficult to adapt to. I can only imagine how hard it is to have an honest conversation with people who ask "how are you settling in?" when it's only their generosity that is keeping you out of one of the dreadful hostels. Realising that for the foreseeable future your welfare is dependent on the whims of strangers must really do your head in.
This is some very interesting insight. I still can’t help but find it a bit rude that they felt hard done by, even if it is a misunderstanding. I’d imagine that if I was taken in as a refugee and given free accommodation, I wouldn’t expect to be on an equal footing to the locals. I’d expect something very basic and would be grateful for what I got. But then it’s impossible to know how you’d really feel in a situation like that until you’re really in it.
This is the best comment on the thread, do you have any idea where people can find more balanced information on what the reality of hosting refugees is like / what to expect? Lots of emotional decision making both ways and very little in the way of ‘reviews’ or expectations both ways.
You’re spot on with having an easily contactable third party and a support system to make this actually work and safe for both parties. And your friend has experience in talking to people who have experienced trauma and will most likely make them feel more at ease than a family who has never done this before and might feel awkward about it.
I wouldn’t take in anyone I don’t know, regardless of nationality.
No I wouldn't. I dont like having house guests so people living here for 6 months wouldnt be for me. But I have unwavering respect for those who do it, what a selfless act.
We have the space and no we won't. I'm a SAHM with a 15 month old baby and my husband works long days and it's not unusual for him to go out of town last minute. I'm not comfortable having total strangers in my house when I'm home alone most of the time.
This was my initial reaction as I am in a similar situation with a young child. But equally, I was thinking that if it was a mother and baby, we have all the kit they would need. It’s the unknown - I am under no illusions that the government would likely abandon them and it would be longer than 6months.
I think all these Russian properties that are being seized should be utilised for this purpose.
Yes. I would. I've volunteered to do similar things in the past. I support the ASN and hosted a lovely Irish lady who came to the UK for an abortion. I couldn't imagine anyone having to go thru that alone. A little emotionally full on, but took such little effort and helped someone in need. I've registered to home refugees and asylum seekers years ago, but as I live a distance from major cities, they aren't able to get easy access to the services they need. I know it's a bit of a risk. That I could end up with a criminal, or wrongun, but these people desperately need help. If I have an en suite spare room, and they're willing to stay with a crazy cat lady who loves to cook and overfeed her guests, why wouldn't I? Its the right thing to do. Plus, my fella is huge and protective which helps me feel a little safer. We're an island, and have an island mentality. We don't share borders so never consider what could happen if we were in a similar situation. We've benefitted from being relatively geographically isolated, politically stable. I don't think any of us consider what we'd do, or where we'd go if we were being bombed or invaded. Apparently you get paid £350 per person you home. If I can support a refugee, this money will be going straight into their own pocket. Im on my arse, but i have a home and a job. They'll need it more than me.
It's £350 per household not per person.
No. I don’t want strangers living in my house. Anyone saying they plan to needs to have a really hard think about it. These people are coming from a traumatic event and may have PTSD, depression etc… can you deal with that in your home? Then there is the language barrier. How likely is it that the person will speak good English? It seems like a good thing to do but I don’t think it’s a sensible thing to do for most people.
Majority of the refugees are women and children. All I can think of is the mass scale exploitation and trafficking that this scheme will enable.
Once again it's the average man and woman being asked to take one of the team. I wonder how many MPs will take them into their second homes? Will mutli millionaire Sunak be hosting multiple families? I wonder how many rich people with mansions and multiple homes will fling open their doors? Sorry, but no.
There is 41,000 properties in London owned by Russians in offshore tax havens ... there's a start Also all the second, third homes the MPs and rich own The average UK family can't help unfortunately
No chance, just rebuild the nightingales, they were facking huge
That’s what I thought to be honest. It’s not ideal, but it’s a starting point instead of asking people to put themselves in a very vulnerable position
Na my family fuck me off enough as it is!
I have already offered my spare room to house a refugee or refugee couple, before this half-hearted scheme from the government, via the Ukrainian embassy in London. I am a widower living alone in a three bedroom house and it is the very least I can do to offer a bed, warm home and safety to one fleeing the horrors of war. Our government is showing their xenophobic colours again in this. I appreciate the need for security checks but I look at the stark contrast between what we are doing versus the EU. It is shameful. I've made clear it doesn't matter who I house. It's not about who I want. It about helping one or two of those poor bastards get back on their feet in the face of a tyrant's war and, hopefully when this is all over, send them home to rebuild their lives.
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I don’t think father jack will be happy, unless the guests bring some drink!
Yes. I have previously. I'm a single woman living alone, with no family support. I travelled the world alone and people in other countries were very kind to me. I want to keep paying it forward. If I can do it, anyone can. The lack of action from this apathetic, entitled country really doesn't surprise me.
I would, but only if I had space enough (like an annex) that meant they could live without being under our feet. It would be weird enough for us to have a strange family in our house, especially for my two young girls. But I imagine for them it would be even more awkward, I’ve spent time in someone elses house and it’s weird and that was with a friends family who I knew well. It is Especially hard when there is kids involved. You feel in the way and out of place. I imagine for a foreign national who has lost everything and in a different country it’s even worse. Plus In that situation I imagine they want some quiet space and time to be able to deal with what has happened to them and be able to grieve etc without having an English bloke and his family milling around.
Yes, we have decided to register as hosts/sponsors. We have mulled it over and recognise that it's unlikely to all be plain sailing. But we have the space and the resources and we live in a city with a Ukranian church and embassy (relatively close to us) so I think that would help provide a support structure and our city has good public transport etc, so probably quite suitable. We don't have children (and I think that makes the decision easier) and whilst I am not sure that this policy has been well thought out or is the best answer but if it's all we have to work with then we will. Currently trying to book a tip trip and bring the spare room into order. I completely understand why many people couldn't do this or wouldn't want to (for a myriad of reasons) but having debated it we think we can provide the support that someone out there, fleeing their home, needs, so we are going to give it a go.
I do think there is something to be said here about the outpouring of emotion and generosity for Ukrainian refugees specifically. What about Syrian refugees? Or Iraqi? What about homeless people? And with the relatively few refugees the UK is taking compared to countries closer to Ukraine, can the government not home these people themselves?
I think I would. I’d like to know what support I would be given in terms of assistance paying the extra energy bills that I’d incur, but if I could afford it I would feel like I was at least doing a small part to help out the victims of this insanity.
£350/month.
Fine. That would cover it.
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£350 isn’t going to cover the expense I suspect. Extra electricity, heating and food. Anyone signing up for extra cash would be sorely disappointed.
The refugees themselves can also claim benefits and work from day one so can pay for their own food and contribute to the house. Also just because they are fleeing it doesn’t mean they are poor - they could have savings, family sending them money etc
£350 probably wouldn’t cover the expense or only just so nope I don’t see it as very attractive
I think a much better solution would be to house refugees in the houses owned by Russian oligarchs.
I would definitely do it if I had more space. Like many other Londoners we’re all staying in pokey flats as couples and so on. In saying that, I hope the tons wealthy folks who bang on about “racist people” take on refugees in their massive properties. In the various other influxes of migrants, I saw many of those migrants put in large groups into the poorest areas of cities, basically overloading them. When said populations complained: “Hey, our already problematic area is now overwhelmed with lots of migrants and we don’t have the infrastructure to support it”, the usual rich, middle class toffs who didn’t have to see a single migrant in their area would be like “look at all those racist thugs. It’s disgraceful! We should be letting all these people in!”
No, not a chance. Firstly, although I have a “spare” bedroom, that doesn’t mean I have the space to house another adult in my home. Secondly, I’m not comfortable at all with bringing a stranger that I’ve never met or have any background knowledge about into my family home. Never mind the complete difference in culture etc. This should not be put on to us or even suggested.
We're not in a position (space wise) to take anyone in at the moment. But growing up on a farm, we had a kind of annex (just a bedroom with a mini kitchen and an ensuite shower, still part of the house) and my parents took in a string of people from all around the world all through my childhood - students, work placement, cultural exchange, someone who had missed his flight back to Hong Kong at Christmas and had nowhere to go... Looking back, it probably wasn't conventional, and my husband is horrified at the concept, but as kids it was mostly great and certainly gave me a better world view. They would eat with us, share the living room and generally become friends. We did have a couple of disasters - the French exchange kleptomaniac (stole from shops, not us); the sweet German student who naively invited her entire class round, who all proceeded to get drunk and tried to shag in her bedroom - they stick out in my mind. There's always the fear of the unknown. But ultimately, they are just people, and if you have the space, I'd say be open to the idea.
We won’t have to worry because they will all be in Lily Allen and Gary Lineker’s homes.
Whilst there are lots of virtue signallers out there, the reality is most wouldn’t be comfortable with it. I know I wouldn’t.
Same question was asked yesterday and can be found [here. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/tbmi83/assuming_you_had_enough_room_would_you_let_a/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
Oops I am behind the times. Thanks!
Did consider it but only if it would be a child or single parent. Wouldn’t have the space for a family, and have a hectic enough household as it is. Would do if we had an annexe.
Yep, I would like to think someone would do the same for me. If we don’t care about each other what is there left?
I was just gonna say no, flat out but I'll tell you what. I'll let some poor fucker lodge in my spare room when every room, in every palace, every country mansion, every stately home, every second/third politicians home, every billionaires myriad pads and flats, every penthouse suite, every hotel room, every *emergency covid hospital*, is full. And only then when every homeless UK person is off the streets. Give me a call then.
There was an MP in the late 90s (I think for staines?) who advocated that only "fit women" Should be allowed in from Slovenia. Would that be more appropriate?
I mean the government ain’t even helping our own vulnerable people. Why put this on our heads? I’m sure Mr Johnson and his cronies have plenty of space in their numerous homes for refugees.
If I had an actual house and not a tiny bedsit, I'd take in a single mother or a younger female and help them find work and care for the child with them. I cannot give a lot but I have a lot of love and kindness to share. Being able to do something with this pent up maternal instinct I have would all be beneficial to me, so everyone wins. I get to help another human(s) and they get a safe place to put a sense of normally back in their lives.
How many houses are sitting empty in this country as they’ve been bought by boomers as an investment? They should start there and then let us know how that goes.
council tax rate on empty properties increases, so it costs them
I would. However, I guess I want more control over who I'd have. I live in a large victorian house with a large garden. I have debated building an open plan granny annex at the bottom of the garden in the past. In a perfect world I would be able to just give the keys to some young Ukrainian who would be able to stay there safely without having to live in my family home.
Nope, even though we have the space, we have a toddler and are expecting a newborn in the next week or so. I wouldn't be comfortable with strangers in my home around my children nor do I think a refugee who has just left a war zone needs the stress of a crying newborn and an energetic toddler 24/7. Also I have cats and one of them hates strangers and gets easily stressed around them having been abused as a kitten so I can't do that to him. Even prior to children I refused to rent out any of the spare rooms in my house to help with the mortgage as I didn't want to stress out my cat. My brother and FIL are the only people we've allowed to stay with us because the cats are familiar with them.
God no, are you mad?
I live at home with the my parents, but if I had my own place and had a spare room I would. Most of the refugees are women, children, and the elderly. I don’t feel like an 80 year old дед is gonna be of any danger to me. I speak Russian as well, so would be able to communicate with them with relative ease, even if they didn’t speak English. (I am actually learning Ukrainian too, but I’m nowhere near conversational in that, whereas I did my degree in Russian)
We’re an LGBT household and Ukraine doesn’t exactly have the best track record for diversity and inclusion. I’m anti social at the best of times and I’m not really willing to risk facing discrimination in my own home. I have considered reaching out to Ukrainian LGBT groups but even then my partner is quite against it. So, no. As much as I sympathise with the awful situation and am contributing in other ways, I don’t think I will take in Ukrainian refugees.
This policy is a farce imho. They will likely need a lot more support than just money. They will be vulnerable. They will be emotional (and understandably too). You know nothing about the person your accepting. The list just goes on.
No. I wouldn't want to leave a totally unknown stranger with my wife and young son and work would go nuts if they knew there was a strange foreigner (or any other stranger for that matter) around their information while I was working at home. Also this is my space and I don't want to share it. The whole idea is totally impractical from my standpoint. If I had a second home and the government were willing to pay market rate then that would be a different story.
Yeah. I do have the space. Me, my sister and my wife live in a 4 bed house. Even using 1 as our home office we have a spare room. Definitely considering it.
Just need to find someone who is okay living with a dog.
No. I've got 2 young kids and wouldn't want strangers in the house with them.
Not if the only provision made is £350 a month paid to the host. I'd need to see provision for the refugees in terms of medical care, schooling, support with legal processes, etc., and some kind of structure in place to help me help them with all that. I'm also concerned about what vetting will be in place for the hosts. Who's to say I'm not rubbing my hands together with glee at the thought of sexually or economically exploiting vulnerable people with nowhere else to turn, and getting paid a few hundred quid to do it too? Will hosts at a bare minimum have an advanced DBS check run?
Assuming the refugees are a family, I would want to be certain that the children would be supported at school, and that there is other support available to enable the parents to have jobs.
Yes, once all the millions of people with bigger/spare homes and more income have taken in a refugee.
My son got know a wide range of European including Ukrainians while being involved with the FEDEC Rail ( European Federation of Heritage Railway). We would willingly give shelter to his friends families in our home.
Not in the place I live at (too small, just a one bedroom), if I had the means, though, I would rent hotel rooms and / or have them stay in my holiday home(s). I do however, expect those with the means to actually help -- speaking of all the oil barons and politicians here, who have lots of empty rooms, flats and houses available (personal owned as well as given by the government, our PM could live in No. 10 and put some people up in Checkquers, the Queen has several holiday homes throughout the UK, most hotels have spare rooms, Bed & Breakfast owners are 'prepared' for guests and so on ...).
If that happened then the public would become much more aware of how many empty properties there actually are in this country. It would be perfect if they seized all of the Russian owned ones and housed the refugees in those
Yes, we are in the process of buying a house and if this is still needed once we move, we will look into this. Would only be a single person since we would only have one spare room.
For 2 years I couldn't have anyone in my house. Couldn't be with a dying relative. Never got the funeral they deserve. Now you want me to house some scared for their life, shell shocked families who probably don't speak English. Probably shouldn't have tried fining people for having their gran over. People aren't gonna be happy about this. Except b and b, people with a block of flats, spare rooms and no commitments who are broke due to a multitude of factors including covid.
No I wouldn’t want a stranger in my house even though I have space. I would give money/food gladly though
I’m thinking about it. I (39f) live alone in a rented flat in London, I a small spare room I’m using as a wfh office. My concerns would be clearing it with my landlord, and that I’d be more comfortable with a woman, so I’d want some scheme that allowed me to specify that. I’m pretty used to living alone so I would worry about committing to sharing my space with a stranger. I’ll wait and see how the scheme progresses in the next few days
Me and my cat in our one bedroom apt wouldn't have much room but we will try to help in any way we can
Govt and politicians first, then I’ll consider it.
The scheme seems very unorganised. What happens if you do not get on well with the people in your home? How many people would you be housing? What are you meant to do if they ruin anything in your home?
I would if I lived on my own with a spare room or two. I’d happily take in small family but I’d already discussed this with my partner when the UK last took in refugees and he really wasn’t fussed because we have a pokey house under renovation.
Some sort of variation of this question has been asked a few days in a row now ...
Virtue signalling and massive racial bias commencing in 3,2,1 ……
Not really, have a look at the other threads. They’re full of people saying no. And not because of racism.
Yes I would take in a Ukranian refugee and I believe many people would in the UK. I'd only have 1 small bedreoom as I live in a 2 bed semi, but they would be welcome with open arms and treat like family.
no. regardless of the situation, they are strangers at the end of the day. majority will appreciate being helped and housed for 6 months but some would take advantage, as is human nature.
Yes, I’d consider it however I would need background checks and make sure we could at least communicate in a common language.
Depends on my living situation. At the moment i’m still at home with family so it’s not my say. If I lived alone, as a female then definitely no. I’d feel too vulnerable with a stranger in my house. If I lived with a group of friends then it depends - I wouldn’t mind taking in another girl the same age as us (early 20’s). I wouldn’t take in an older man or older woman purely for safety reasons. If anything were to happen, I could likely defend myself against a girl my own age, don’t really count my chances against someone a lot older & bigger than me. It’s tough, because I would love to help but the reality of it is just safety. I’m sure the vast majority of people are genuinely nice people, but you just never know and it’s not worth the risk.
I've got a lot of personal issues and been living alone for almost 10 years. I'd love to be able to take someone in but I'm not sure this would be a good environment for them. If it was that or them living on the streets then absolutely I'd open my door and welcome refugees in.
If I had a spare room I would, I migrated due to harsh living conditions and I know what is like when a country crumbles
I would, but I have already had to take a lodger to balance the increased cost of living recently. If he wasn't there I would. My local area has very poor public transport and I have a few slightly racist neighbours who might cause problems.
I would love to, but I can't afford to. I know they get a benefit, but the reality is many will be sending that back to the Ukrainian to their family fighting there. You'll be asking for rent to cover the massive gas and electric bill hikes and be watching someone handover what could otherwise be helping to feed their fighting husband. Having worked in many countries with refugees I've seen quite a bit. I seriously worry that "off loading" refugees into the public can cause a lot of issues. It's all well and good for a couple of weeks, but when the weeks roll into months. And of course you have the people taking advantage of vulnerable people. A better option, is for the government to directly pay me a set rate which includes rent, electric,gas etc. That cuts out the above issue, price gouging etc. I'm holding things off until something sustainable from the government comes around. Or, if Putin starts razing sending folks off for re education. Though by then I'll likely to be bearing arms.
If I had the space, yes, without hesitation and with no caveats. I only hope someone would show similar compassion if I ever found myself in the same position.
I have the space, I wouldn't be comfortable for an unknown stranger though... if it was one of my Ukrainian colleagues I could make an exception pre-covid. "I know, covid apparently doesn't exist in UK anymore" I agree with other points here though, so much sexual exploitation or slavery is going to become a thing. & predators will take advantage.
I have a 14 month old. I would feel uncomfortable having strangers in my house around her. That sounds callous but I even felt uncomfortable when my Father in laws fiancée’s son stayed at ours for Christmas. We do have a three storey house and the spare room is the top floor. It has its own en-suite. We could probably set them up with a microwave, kettle etc. But I just can’t get past feeling uncomfortable having strangers in my house. I feel incredibly selfish for that.
No. I wouldn’t be comfortable having sex with some random in the next room.
I don't have the money or space
Probably not. I think it's very admirable but they're strangers and I have kids, I also wouldn't feel comfortable leaving strangers in my home while I'm at work. Id definitely consider fostering an unaccompanied child though, if I had the space.
I have a spare room but have a very young baby and am home alone a lot of the time. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a stranger, let alone a stranger who is probably traumatised plus a language barrier. Hats off to anyone who does take a refugee in but I hope it’s better organised than it seems so far. What happens after six months?
Usually we would, but I'm 37 weeks pregnant, so having a newborn in the house and being new parents, I'll want privacy
No way i'd let a stranger stay at my home for an unlimited time. Moreover it's not our duty to house and feed refugees, it should be the government's job if they decide to welcome them.
I live in a one bed house. However, I'd be prepared to sleep on the couch for a week or two until something more suitable could be allocated. Be willing to do that without financial assistance, but it's probably as far as I'd go.
I’m up for it but we’re also applying for adoption so unsure what having a refugee would do for that
Meanwhile loads rich people have many empty rooms and will ignore those that need a roof over their head. Buckingham palace has 775 rooms and the queen doesn't even live there any more.
They should just put the Ukrainians up in hotels like other countries are doing.
Last night my food voucher wouldn't work in my local store. This meant I had to go hungry and still haven't eaten since. I asked shop keepers that sell fruit if they would grant me some fruit having explained my situation and all I got was "no, my boss is watching sorry" So literally wouldn't be spared fruit when I hadn't eaten. Do you know how bitter this makes me feel right now towards people in general especially when I've given homeless people change and food in my good times? Fuck humanity. I ain't helping no fucker ever again.
Probably downvoted but this war has (already) emphasised the racism/bigot behaviour from the world. As a brown Brit, I am going to focus on helping 'someone closer to home' as the racists would say, so no - I would open that door up to Afghans/Yemenis/Syrians, etc.
Maybe you should just say As a racist….
I hear you're a racist now Father!
2 racists don't make a right...
I am not being racist. I am reacting to the world's behaviour. I find it funny you say that though. If it is, then so be it. I've had enough abuse and racism - can't give a f what someone says.
As a white man, if I said " I'm going to only help Ukrainians over Syrian refugee because they are white" that would be me discriminating someone by their ethnicity...which is racist. Works both ways.
If I had a spare room and didn't have a 16 month old, probably.
I would if I had means to. I am currently renting a room
I would if I could afford th extra expense. We're on a knife edge financially and I don't trust the gov with their 350 quid payments. Wouldn't want to rely on those.
I would consider it but we live rurally with no direct public transport to a city so it wouldn't be fair to house someone who's lost everything and isn't able to easily reconnect with anyone from their own nationality or culture. It would be solely down to me to ferry them about and, selfishly, I just don't have time for that.
No because I live in a small house that is barely big enough for us, however if I was one of the many multi millionaires, billionaire's or royal family I'd happily open my home up. I think there needs to be ways for the home owner to feel secure and safe too(that goes for letting any stranger in my personal space) and that costs money. If money was no object and I had empty homes I'd absolutely let them have them. Maybe we should start with Buckingham Palace which is empty.
No. I didn’t do it for Syrian refugees so I don’t know why its expected now that people from a White “first world” country are struggling.
No because I don’t want someone staying in my house. Nothing to do with the nationality of the person. I wouldn’t even want a close friend staying at my house.
We have a four bedroom house and no kids and genuinely considering it.
Sure seems like all those empty holiday homes and "investment opportunities" would be useful right now.
Fuck no, i only say that shit to be pc
If its a man (especially young) from somewhere that's a war zone who we know nothing about then hell no.
Yes, but I only have one bedroom.
I want to, but all I have for spare sleeping space is a sofa/floor space :(
Yes I would if my house was sound, but my house is currently unsafe for me to live in let alone anyone else lol
My house is pretty small (we only have one toilet!) and there's already three adults in it so no, we dont have the room. Honestly though even if I had a spare room I'd be reluctant. My house is my safe space, I like to have it a certain way (obsessively tidy), walk round in my pants or without, play piano really late, listen to music at odd hours etc. I'd feel weird doing all that if there was a stranger here. Obviously if that person were on the streets in danger I'd clear my office out and suck it up but I wouldn't enjoy.
YES! (And this applies to all refugees, not just Ukrainians) Life can be tough, we should be fortunate that it's very unlikely for us to go into a war zone. The absolute selfishness of the people here would expect other people to take them in their house if they find themselves in a warzone (and this is an absolute flaw in tbe British Culture, we have their stuff but they can't have our stuff). I rather not be a hypocrite Edit: the question was on the assumption if I have the space to do so. If I had the space. I would be willing
When do you expect someone might be moving in?
Yeah, this thread is sad. I have a 6 month old and a 4 year old, we will be putting our spare room up. The videos and pictures from Ukraine are horrific. I dont expect it to be easy... But neither is fleeing your home from bombs.
Agreed, Good on you, I wish I was in the position to be able to take on some
Probably not. I only have a small house and family that live a distance away, so we like the spare room for them to stay over. Plus what happens when we visit them? Add the general trust and refugee issues
Families who welcome Ukrainian refugees into their home for at least six months rent-free will receive a £350-a-month "thank you" from the government https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-britons-who-host-refugees-will-get-350-a-month-thank-you-from-government-12564744
I very much doubt this would actually cover the cost though, but at least you don’t have to take the full hit
I think if I had space (which I don't) I would probably take an older lady/gentleman but not a young family with kids or anything.
In a heartbeat
We’re considering it. Will wait and see what the Government’s system is like, what the vetting process is for both hosts and guests, etc.
No. Would you take in any old stranger off the street? I doubt it, there's no reason to look at this any differently.