Sefton Council will be helping people who house Ukrainian refugees in the cost of living crisis.
Since the outbreak of war over 120 households in Sefton have provided refuge for families looking to escape war-torn Ukraine. Over eight months have passed since Russia's invasion of the country and Sefton sponsors have shown "kindness" and "generosity".
Recognising the impact that mounting energy bills will have on those families housing Ukrainian guests, the council will be giving out monthly top-up payments over the winter.
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From December to April, hosts who are participating in the Homes for Ukraine scheme will receive a top-up to the ‘thank you’ payments starting from £75 per month. Payments will depend on the number of Ukrainian guests being hosted ranging from £75 for households with one guest to £200 for those with six.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We appreciate that as a result of their generosity and kindness in hosting Ukrainian refugees, many Sefton Sponsors will be facing significant financial challenges over the forthcoming winter.
“In recognition of these challenges, which will have been worsened by the national cost of living crisis, we are making these top-up payments to help them out. Payments will be made retrospectively, so hosts will see them in their bank accounts from December to April.
“Like many councils across the country, we have agreed these monthly payments, to those people across our Borough who are providing people with a safe haven from Vladimir Putin’s unwarranted and illegal war. We understand the generosity of those people could be stretched in the face of spiraling fuel bills, rocketing interest rates, and soaring prices in the shops, and we wanted to do what we can to help to prevent Ukrainians from facing the prospect of homelessness.”
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