Ukraine Civil Society Forum Calls on New Government to Urgently Extend Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme as 36,000 Ukrainians face accommodation cliff edge
Temporary Protection was extended to March 2026 but no mention has been made of the supporting accommodation scheme (ARP). ARP ends 31st March 2025 unless a decision to extend is made.
The Ukraine Civil Society Forum warmly welcomes the appointment of Colm Brophy as Minister of State for Migration. Mr Brophy’s past experience as Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora along with his active role on the European Affairs Committee will be of great value in his new brief. This is a challenging brief and we look forward to working with him.
March 31st is the imminent deadline for the expiration of the ARP Hosting support programme. A decision is urgently needed, the absence of any guidance has created significant anxiety and uncertainty for both hosts and guests. Without an extension, many of the families relying on this scheme face the prospect of losing their homes, already we have multiple reports of people being asked to move out due to the uncertainty around the payment. This compounds the challenges Ukrainians, the majority women, young children and elderly are already facing in rebuilding their lives and with nowhere else to turn to.
“If this hosting programme ends, I don’t know what will happen to me and my son,”
said one Ukrainian refugee being hosted in Dublin. “We have already lost our home once, my son loves his school and has great friends. I am working and beginning to feel alive again. I cannot express how important the support of the Irish people and government has been, we are forever grateful. You gave us safety and a chance to live, to lose this lifeline will be devastating.”
Emma Lane-Spollen, National Coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Response commented
“Hosting has been an Irish success story. An amazing 22,000 Irish hosts have taken in over 40,000 Ukrainians as their guests since the start of the war. The Accommodation Recognition Payment of €800 per host has been really effective in bringing in new capacity - spare rooms, granny flats and holiday homes - rooms and homes that never were being rented. This scheme ensured that the medium term accommodation needs of Ukrainians did not add further pressure to the private rental market.”
Angie Gough founder of Helping Irish Hosts commented
"The government must act now to extend the Accommodation Recognition Payment beyond March 2025. Without it - or a proper transition plan - families will be left facing homelessness.”
“Hosting has been a lifeline, giving thousands not just shelter, but home, friendship, and belonging. It was never meant to be a long-term housing solution, nor is it a silver bullet for the refugee accommodation crisis. It works because it’s about community, not just a place to stay.”
“Hosting is great value for money and one of the best ways to support integration, but only if the government steps up with proper financial and safeguarding supports, now and into the future.”
The Accommodation Recognition payment was introduced in July 2022 to support people to open up their homes and host Ukrainians.
Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council commented “it is deplorable that people who are already traumatised by their circumstances are left in a situation of not knowing. The new Minister for State, Minister Brophy must address this uncertainty as a matter of urgency and give Ukrainian refugees- and their hosts - peace of mind or are we to see up to 36,000 become homeless?”
The Forum is calling Minister Jim O’Callaghan and his newly appointed Minister of State, Colm Brophy to urgently address this issue.
We urge the new government to affirm its commitment to Ireland remaining a place of sanctuary for Ukrainians while the war continues and to ensure government policy supports integration.
An immediate decision on the extension of the ARP is needed to provide clarity and reassurance.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes: more detail about the accommodation circumstances the Ukrainian refugee community face today:
- 113,636 people have been granted Temporary Protection (19/01), it is estimated by the CSO that aprox 85,000 remain in Ireland (75%)
- 35,453 people currently accommodated by hosts (07/01)(42%)
- 27,717 people currently accommodated in short-term state contracted accommodation (33%)
- 20,000 Private rental (24%)
A host receives €800 a month tax free. Approximately 19,000 hosts are currently in receipt of the Accommodation Recognition Payment accommodating. Since the war started, the scheme has covered over 22,000 hosts supporting 44,000 refugees cumulatively.
Ukraine Civil Society Forum (UCSF) has 121 participating organisations. This initiative was convened by civil society in March 2022 acting collectively to support the emergency response and welcome of refugees from Ukraine to Ireland. Providing a space for the national coordination of civil society and community responses, connecting into the State’s response structures supporting reception and integration. The UCSF shares information, avoids duplication, identifies trends and patterns, including gaps in service provision and works together to share solutions, escalate issues where necessary to the Government.
Issued by:
Emma Lane-Spollen
National Coordinator
Ukraine Civil Society Emergency Response