92% positive experience for people hosting Ukrainians

In Leitrim, there are currently 603 guests living in 214 host homes.

This represents 28% of the total number of Ukrainians who have arrived in the county since the invasion of Ukraine.

Nationally, 25% of all arrivals from Ukraine are currently living in host homes or pledged accommodation. 

Local Leitrim host, Lorraine McHugh, says, “We've been hosting a young woman from Ukraine for over a year now and it's been a fantastic experience. There are challenges of course, like the language barrier at times, but we've learned a lot from each other along the way and we've found our rhythm.

“We just felt we had to do something and this is one way we could help out when these people have had their whole lives turned upside down. If it's an option for other people, then I’d say it really is worth doing.”

A recent survey of people who host Ukranians shows that 92% have had a positive experience and 76% would recommend hosting to someone else. The research was presented by Helping Irish Hosts and the Irish Red Cross to Oireachtas members at a briefing in Leinster House on Wednesday, 31 January.

Angie Gough, CEO and Co-Founder of Helping Irish Hosts, says, “The research reaffirms everything we’ve seen over the past 22 months. Hosting is having an incredible impact - for the hosts, their guests and also their communities. While it’s not the right option for everyone and it’s not a long-term solution, it does offer a key integration opportunity for people seeking refuge in this country.

“Our priority is to nurture the host response as a significant part of the refugee accommodation solution, while acknowledging its limitations and advocating for the changes needed to sustain it.”

The Consortium of organisations responsible for activating pledged accommodation is still receiving around 300 accommodation pledges a month. The briefing to Oireachtas members also heard that the savings to the taxpayer are in the region of €386 million annually, when compared to state accommodation. 

At the briefing on Wednesday, the group presented recommendations to Government and offered resources to support constituents and communities that are hosting.

Key asks included extending the proposed 90-day policy for new arrivals to reduce the risk of harm to already vulnerable groups, and widening the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) to include Programme Refugees who have been granted status in Ireland.

Angie Gough says: “We know that 76% of people were motivated to host out of solidarity, or compassion. This is hugely inspiring but we also know that the monthly ARP is a fundamental and brilliant tool in facilitating and sustaining hosting.

“From our conversations with hosts, it’s clear that there is a strong will in this community to extend the welcome currently being shown to Ukrainians, to all refugees. Alongside our Consortium partners, we are ready to draw on the current frameworks in place to pilot this approach.”

The Consortium is a partnership that is funded by DCEDIY and led by the Irish Red Cross, comprising Helping Irish Hosts, Peter McVerry Trust and IOM, to activate pledged accommodation on behalf of the Irish State and to retain and extend host arrangements.