South Glocs Council announce 'thank you' payments for Homes for Ukraine Sponsors
There are currently more than 400 guests matched to 212 sponsors across the region
Host families of Ukrainian people in South Gloucestershire are to receive an extra £125 per month as a 'thank you'.
The news comes as the local authority also support more Ukrainian guests into employment across the region.
The £350 payment is going up to £475 from 15 December for five months, to support sponsors with rising costs and to recognise their important contribution in providing Ukrainian guests with a safe and welcoming home.
In South Gloucestershire, there are (as of Wednesday, December 14) 431 Ukrainian guests matched with 212 sponsors.
313 of those are in the UK - with the remaining number due to come to the region over the next few months.
Since September, when the programmed was launched, the council has supported 34 families to find properties in the private rental market and has been able to offer alternative accommodation to over 90 Ukrainian guests.
In October, the council launched employability workshops at Yate Job Centre Plus.
They've been able to secure 17 people full-time jobs, while 16 more have since joined the programme - and the council say it's helping them to contribute to the job market where 'significant workforce shortages' remain.
Kingswood and Thornbury are set to launch similar programmes in the New Year.
South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member for equality of opportunity, councillor Franklin Owusu-Antwi said: “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous contribution made by our Homes for Ukraine sponsors who have provided guests from Ukraine with safe and stable accommodation in South Gloucestershire. We are pleased to have agreed this additional funding which means we can increase the thank you payments for sponsors by £125 per month, for a five-month period.
“This increase recognises the cost-of-living pressures being put on household budgets at the moment and will help to ease any concerns current and prospective sponsors may have. Our employment support is also helping guests to find suitable jobs and is boosting business sectors where recruiting staff has been problematic.
“We thank our sponsors and stand in continued solidarity with Ukraine and our Ukrainian guests during this difficult period.”
At the same time, the authority is looking to secure alternative accommodation for those who have reached the end of their initial period of sponsorship.
You can find out more about Homes for Ukraine in South Gloucestershire here.