Latest news with #HomesForUkraine
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Could I be on the hook for rent costs for the Ukrainian family I sponsor?'
Do you have a legal question to put to Gary? Email askalawyer@ or use the form at the bottom of the page. Hello Gary, I sponsored a Ukrainian family (granny, mum and daughter) under the original government scheme set up after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. As we are empty nesters, they lived in spare bedrooms in our house for a year until they secured their own accommodation. They are wonderful, hard-working people, and we are all now friends – particularly me and the mum. The mum now wants her husband and his dad to move to the UK and they have asked me to sponsor again. This time we are not being asked to accommodate them. However, I am worried I will have legal responsibility for their rent if I agree to sponsor and they live elsewhere. Presumably, the family already settled in the UK will have to move to bigger place, or they will rent separate houses. Whatever they end up doing housing-wise, as the UK sponsor what would be my legal responsibilities in these circumstances? – Angela, by email Dear Angela, First, I must acknowledge the act of great compassion for you to sponsor and accommodate the original trio of granny, mum and daughter in 2022. That said, you are right to be wary of any legal implications and ongoing financial responsibility of signing up again, in circumstances which are fundamentally different in that the persons seeking sponsorship this time are not going to be living with you. Under the original Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched by the UK government in March 2022, a so-called 'sponsor' such as yourself is not legally responsible for ongoing financial or housing support beyond the initial arrangement to accommodate for at least six months upon arrival in the UK. The exception to this is if you voluntarily enter into a private agreement that says otherwise, such as signing up to be guarantor of rent payments under a tenancy agreement, or becoming a co-tenant. In each case, my advice is do not do that, unless you have the means to pay the rent. This means that after the original trio moved out of your home and started renting a house, you had no ongoing legal responsibility or liability for rents or other debts. In that sense it was 'job done' – your relationship as sponsor was over and you could now simply be friends. At its heart, the Homes for Ukraine scheme is a way for persons displaced by the war in Ukraine to enter the UK legally under a visa. Initially, visa holders were granted up to three years' leave to remain. From early 2025, it has been possible to apply for an 18-month extension to allow rights to work, study and access public services. At present, there is no direct route to permanent residency for those like your trio already here under the original scheme. The logic for this is the Government says at some point Ukraine will be a safe place to return to. I mention this because if one or all of your original trio could become permanent residents – perhaps under the skilled worker route, if eligible – their position would be much more secure. However, as of February 2024, only a UK national can sponsor a Ukrainian under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. So, as it stands, the existing trio from Ukraine cannot sponsor the rest of their family to come over to the UK. Which is where you come in again. If you want to. And while I imagine you feel a moral obligation to sponsor the husband and his dad – not least because of your friendship with the trio, who have been part of your life now for three years – it is important to understand the essential requirements of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Under the scheme, you are expected to provide accommodation to the individuals you are sponsoring, such as a spare room in your house or separate self-contained accommodation rent-free for a period of at least six months. Your question is: if the husband and his dad live elsewhere, will you be responsible for their rent? The legal answer to that question is no you will not. But the more fundamental issue is if the person you sponsor rents elsewhere instead of living in accommodation you provide, that falls outside of the scheme itself. Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, there is a £350 to £500 monthly thank you payment, which you would forfeit if you do not provide rent-free accommodation. But, more worryingly for you and the Ukrainians concerned, the conditions of the visa would not be fulfilled. You must give accurate information on any forms you are asked to complete as a sponsor. Therefore, you must say if you are providing accommodation or not. Providing false information on a visa application constitutes a criminal offence under UK law. Convictions can result in fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. So, while you may not be liable for the rent or other debts of the Ukrainians, there is a financial implication if you do not accommodate them for the initial six months they are in the UK. In my view, all this means you must say to your original trio that you may only help with their other family members moving over only if you can all be totally transparent that they will be living together in a rented house, that you will not be accommodating anyone, and that you will not be guaranteeing any rent payments or otherwise taking on any responsibility for their financial responsibilities. It will then be up to the Government whether to grant a visa or not. Ask a Lawyer should not be taken as formal legal advice, but rather as a starting point for readers to undertake their own further research. 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Telegraph
4 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
‘Could I be on the hook for rent for the Ukrainian family I sponsor?'
Do you have a legal question to put to Gary? Email askalawyer@ or use the form at the bottom of the page. Hello Gary, I sponsored a Ukrainian family (granny, mum and daughter) under the original government scheme set up after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. As we are empty nesters, they lived in spare bedrooms in our house for a year until they secured their own accommodation. They are wonderful, hard-working people, and we are all now friends – particularly me and the mum. The mum now wants her husband and his dad to move to the UK, and they have asked me to sponsor again. This time we are not being asked to accommodate them. However, I am worried I will have legal responsibility for their rent if I agree to sponsor and they live elsewhere. Presumably, the family already settled in the UK will have to move to bigger place, or they will rent separate houses. Whatever they end up doing housing-wise, as the UK sponsor what would be my legal responsibilities in these circumstances? – Angela, by email Dear Angela, First, I must acknowledge the act of great compassion for you to sponsor and accommodate the original trio of granny, mum and daughter in 2022. That said, you are right to be wary of any legal implications and ongoing financial responsibility of signing up again, in circumstances which are fundamentally different in that the persons seeking sponsorship this time are not going to be living with you. Under the original Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched by the UK government in March 2022, a so-called 'sponsor' such as yourself is not legally responsible for ongoing financial or housing support beyond the initial arrangement to accommodate for at least six months upon arrival in the UK. The exception to this is if you voluntarily enter into a private agreement that says otherwise, such as signing up to be guarantor of rent payments under a tenancy agreement, or becoming a co-tenant. In each case, my advice is do not do that, unless you have the means to pay the rent. This means that after the original trio moved out of your home and started renting a house, you had no ongoing legal responsibility or liability for rents or other debts. In that sense it was 'job done' – your relationship as sponsor was over and you could now simply be friends. At its heart, the Homes for Ukraine scheme is a way for persons displaced by the war in Ukraine to enter the UK legally under a visa. Initially, visa holders were granted up to three years' leave to remain. From early 2025, it has been possible to apply for an 18-month extension to allow rights to work, study and access public services. At present, there is no direct route to permanent residency for those like your trio already here under the original scheme. The logic for this is the Government says at some point Ukraine will be a safe place to return to. I mention this because if one or all of your original trio could become permanent residents – perhaps under the skilled worker route, if eligible – their position would be much more secure. However, as of February 2024, only a UK national can sponsor a Ukrainian under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. So, as it stands, the existing trio from Ukraine cannot sponsor the rest of their family to come over to the UK. Which is where you come in again. If you want to. And while I imagine you feel a moral obligation to sponsor the husband and his dad – not least because of your friendship with the trio, who have been part of your life now for three years – it is important to understand the essential requirements of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Under the scheme, you are expected to provide accommodation to the individuals you are sponsoring, such as a spare room in your house or separate self-contained accommodation rent-free for a period of at least six months. Your question is: if the husband and his dad live elsewhere, will you be responsible for their rent? The legal answer to that question is no you will not. But the more fundamental issue is if the person you sponsor rents elsewhere instead of living in accommodation you provide, that falls outside of the scheme itself. Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, there is a £350 to £500 monthly thank you payment, which you would forfeit if you do not provide rent-free accommodation. But, more worryingly for you and the Ukrainians concerned, the conditions of the visa would not be fulfilled. You must give accurate information on any forms you are asked to complete as a sponsor. Therefore, you must say if you are providing accommodation or not. Providing false information on a visa application constitutes a criminal offence under UK law. Convictions can result in fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. So, while you may not be liable for the rent or other debts of the Ukrainians, there is a financial implication if you do not accommodate them for the initial six months they are in the UK. In my view, all this means you must say to your original trio that you may only help with their other family members moving over only if you can all be totally transparent that they will be living together in a rented house, that you will not be accommodating anyone, and that you will not be guaranteeing any rent payments or otherwise taking on any responsibility for their financial responsibilities. It will then be up to the Government whether to grant a visa or not.
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Revealed: Thousands of Ukrainians to be told to go by August
Some 4,000 Ukrainian refugees face being moved out of their current homes, as pressure on privately supplied accommodation eases. The Government's move is expected to release a significant tranche of hotel rooms and accommodation normally designated for students. The decision will be announced by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy today and will be cleared by the Cabinet tomorrow. Colm Brophy. 'Ukrainians will be getting a tap on the shoulder on Monday [today] and will be expected to be out of their accommodations by August,' one source said. It is a move that will be welcomed by rural TDs who have faced protests in areas where there is a shortage of hotel rooms and community facilities. The Government 'temporarily paused' moves to relocate Ukrainian refugees after a series of local controversies over the uprooting of Ukrainian families, who had put down roots in Ireland, in March. Pic: Getty Images Payments under the Homes For Ukraine scheme, which paid €800 to people hosting Ukrainian refugees here, will be cut by 25% to €600 next month. One Government source told 'Ukrainians are still welcome, it is just that we are engaging in a process where we are moving towards the European norm. 'Ireland can't be offering better deals. A rationalisation of accommodation services is simply part of this process. 'The number of Ukrainians has reduced from 114,000 to 80,000. A lot of hotels have seen significant reductions in the number of Ukrainians. They are almost like 'ghost hotels' so can be restored to their original purpose.' Minister Brophy confirmed plans to move 4,000 Ukrainians will be announced today, saying: 'This is part of a rationalisation process. The number of Ukrainians has reduced from 114,000 to 80,000.' He added: 'A lot of properties involved are hotel accommodation and student accommodation. Accommodation has reduced significantly in certain hotels, and student accommodation is desperately needed, so, in short, maintaining them as asylum centres no longer makes sense.'
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ukrainian coach finds new 'home' with Sheffield boxing academy
A Ukrainian man forced to flee to the UK is celebrating his first year since opening a boxing academy in Pohodin came to the UK from Chernivtsi, a city in south-western Ukraine, on 16 June 2022 via the Homes For Ukraine scheme alongside his wife Zhanna and three young children. He originally volunteered at the Sheffield City Boxing Club but in May 2024 he set up the Pohodin Boxing Academy in Syd's Gym in established in his new home, the 35-year-old said: "I didn't know the language or the people and now I have my own boxing gym, but I'm not Churchill; I've not stopped a war." When Oleksandr came to Sheffield, Brendan Warburton MBE, the founder of Sheffield City Boxing Club, first offered him an opportunity to coach. Before his arrival the pair had swapped messages on Facebook but it was clear immediately that the Ukrainian would be an said: "He was great with kids and brilliant with all members, he used to really muck in with everyone"He's a really good coach and an all-round nice fella."Working with young people in the boxing ring has always been Oleksandr's passion, having taken part in 150 fights back in Ukraine."I love children, I have four of my own, coaching is hard with long hours but when parents and children are happy I am happy," he said. Syd Khan, who had introduced boxing at Syd's Gym in the old Darnall Education Centre on Darnall Road, was alerted to Oleksandr's talent by a friend who showed him coaching videos."I've never seen anything like it, the way he was communicating with the children, they were so connected," said Khan."I thought, wow, I need to use this guy." He allowed Oleksandr to set up the Pohodin Academy in May 2024 and it's proved a successful partnership."He is strict and has standards but he's an amazing guy to work with."We're now an affiliated boxing club with 22 amateur fighters - the majority had never fought before. He did that in a year." Whilst Oleksandr's still has family in Ukraine, he is keen to now stay in Sheffield."I thought I would live in the UK for just two months but now we are settled here," he said."My children speak the language. I have a business. This is my new home, I hope I can stay."The coach is also unashamedly ambitious for the club. Three of his boxers will soon be competing in the National Schools Championships in Northumberland."I would like three medals. Minimum. "In five years I would like a national champion and then a world champion, God willing." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Independent
31-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ukrainian refugee's boxing academy provides joy and confidence for UK youngsters
A Ukrainian forced to flee to the UK by constant Russian bombardment has launched a boxing academy to provide joy and self-confidence for young people in his new home city. Oleksandr Pohodin, 35, came to the UK from Chernivtsi, in south-western Ukraine on June 16 2022 via the Homes For Ukraine scheme alongside his wife Zhanna, who is now 40 and currently pregnant, and their children – Nika, 15, Polina, eight, and Matvii, six. Mr Pohodin, who had his own sports club in Ukraine and was a former amateur boxer with nearly 150 bouts to his name, said he loved life back in his home country. However, constant alarms and having to go underground sometimes two to three times a night due to bombings after Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24 2022 prompted him and his wife to seek a safer life for their family elsewhere. In May 2024, he founded Pohodin Boxing Academy, which operates from Syd's Gym in Sheffield, together with Syd Khaan and Benny Banaris. He also received years of guidance and support from Brendan Warburton – the founder of Sheffield City Boxing Club who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his community work. 'Before I came to England, I started a conversation on Facebook with a very great coach and a very good person, it's Brendan Warburton MBE,' Mr Pohodin told the PA news agency. 'He helped coach Sheffield City Boxing Club and before I came, I started a conversation with him and said, I will be in Sheffield, and if he wants I will start volunteering in his gym and he said 'yes'. 'When I opened this academy, he helped me a lot, he explained to me how all this works – 100% I think he's my mentor.' Mr Pohodin also received an employment adviser and English language training through the charity World Jewish Relief, a charity which has helped more than 13,000 Ukrainians rebuild their lives in the UK since 2022. Mr Pohodin teaches a wide array of backgrounds and age groups on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday each week. 'For me, I understand if people spend time at this gym, they are not spending time in the street or on their cellphone and I understand when children spend time here, it helps them develop new skills and feel more self-confidence,' he said. 'Many parents told me after the sessions children study better at school and feel better with their friends so I'm happy when I hear this news from parents. 'It's very enjoyable when sometimes I have 40 kids – it's girls, boys, different nationalities and a child smiles – for me, I feel very successful when I know a child is happy to be here.' Several Ukrainians have taken the boxing world by storm, including Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, and Oleksandr Usyk, who has held the unified world heavyweight championship since 2021. Mr Pohodin said seeing Ukrainian boxers thrive makes him 'very proud'. 'I remember when Usyk beat for the first time Tyson Fury, I am very proud he's from Ukraine,' he said. 'I'm very happy Ukrainian boxing is successful.' He added he feels particularly happy to live in Sheffield as he considers it to be the 'centre of boxing' in the UK. He said he is 'infinitely grateful' for the Homes For Ukraine scheme and his sponsor Eva Weltermann, who hosted him and his family for a year. 'We are grateful for every Briton who helped Ukrainians, in their stay here and to those who volunteered and helped Ukrainians who are in Ukraine,' he added. 'Your contribution is invaluable to our citizens and country. We are grateful to the Government who introduced this scheme for Ukrainians, and now extended for another 18 months stay in the UK.' Boy Quinn, 14, is one of Mr Pohodin's students and cited Ukrainian boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko as one of his sporting heroes. Despite trying other sports, he said he has connected with boxing the most. 'It's been really good training with Oleksandr,' he told PA. 'I've tried other sports like football and basketball but when I've put the gloves on, they've never come off.' Katryna Stelmakh, 30, and Natali Pryima, 28, both came to the UK from Ukraine and attend sessions with Mr Pohodin. Ms Stelmakh arrived in the UK in February 2022 from Kyiv but was born in the north-west of Ukraine, while Ms Pryima came to England in June 2022 from Poltava in central Ukraine. Ms Stelmakh, who was a doctor in her home country, said adjusting to life here was difficult due to the language barrier and finding a job, but said British people she has met have all been 'very welcoming'. Initially joining boxing classes for her wellbeing, she said she was glad she then met fellow Ukrainians. 'I found our Ukrainian coach, Oleksandr, and then I came to the classes and met Natali here,' she told PA. Ms Pryima added: 'First of all, for me, it's a full body workout, it's a really intensive workout and it's a stress reliever. 'It's not just about punching the bag, it's therapy as well.'
