The UK government has announced a significant reduction in funding for hosts participating in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, cutting monthly payments from £350 to £100 starting January 1. This represents a 70% decrease in the "thank you" payments made to individuals who provide accommodation to Ukrainian refugees.

The Homes for Ukraine program was established following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since its inception, the initiative has supported approximately 181,000 Ukrainians across the UK, offering shelter and assistance to those displaced by the conflict. In addition to reducing host payments, the government will also decrease the funds allocated to local councils, which receive payments intended to cover the costs associated with each refugee's arrival.

Tetiana, 73, a Ukrainian refugee who fled Kharkiv near the frontline, voiced concerns about the funding cuts. “If the hosting comes to an end I don’t know where I will go and how I can start again,” she said, highlighting the uncertainty faced by many displaced individuals relying on this support.

To date, the government states it has provided more than £1.81 billion to support the scheme and its participants. The Home Office was contacted for further comment but no additional information was provided. The reduction in funding marks a notable shift in the UK’s financial commitment to hosting Ukrainian refugees as the program enters its third year.