Moving on FAQs for Guests
See below frequently asked questions (FAQs) by guests about moving on to see if your question has been answered.
They have been grouped into 4 main areas which include: rematching, social housing, private rentals, and legal support.
Rematching
I have a job and rely on transport to gain access to this. Will this be considered when I am rematched?
Yes - if you make us aware of a job, or school placements, this will be taken into account when we look for a new host for you.
But, we can’t guarantee that we will find you a new host in your current area.
Why are guests being rematched?
There are a number of reasons as to why rematches take place. This could be down to a relationship breakdown. Or, it could be because the host has decided they no longer want to host their guests.
How long will it take for guests to be rematched?
It's hard to say how long this will take. This is because we must do DBS and property checks if a person has not hosted before.
We will update hosts at every point of the process to keep them informed.
Social housing
Is it true that, as a resident in South Cambridgeshire, Ukrainians can apply for council/housing association housing in either or both of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City?
Ukrainians who arrived through the Homes for Ukraine scheme have access to public funds. So, this means Ukrainian guests are entitled to apply to Homelink for social housing in South Cambridgeshire if this is the area in which they’re currently living in.
Only if you’re employed in Cambridge City, you can apply for a special connection to allow you to bid on Cambridge City properties. The only exception to this is that in every bidding cycle there are ‘cross partner' properties, which lets people bid on properties in other partner areas. This means you would be able to bid on Cambridge City properties this way.
For more information and to register with HomeLink, go to the HomeLink website.
How can Ukrainians apply for social housing in Cambridge City?
If you don’t have a local connection to Cambridge City, then you can’t apply for social housing in Cambridge City.
Every bidding cycle has 'cross partner' properties, which let applicants bid on properties in other partner areas. This means you would be able to bid on Cambridge City properties this way.
Is there social housing for Ukrainians in South Cambridgeshire or Cambridge City? Or, will it never be an option for Ukrainians?
We would not be able to give a definite answer if Ukranian guests would be successful in getting social housing, or when this would happen, as each application is banded according to needs and priority.
Social Housing is highly oversubscribed in South Cambridgeshire.
Can I register with Homelink now or must I wait until I have been here 6 months?
You can register now – you don’t need to wait or have been here for 6 months.
Home-Link is the choice based lettings scheme for all council and housing association homes in Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk. Because you have access to public funds, you can apply now.
Private rental
If you are a mother and a child, you will be entitled to the 2 bedroom Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate of the housing element on your Universal Credit.
If you were to rent a 1 bed or a studio (which will be cheaper than a 2 bed), would you still get the 2 bedroom rate?
Yes. If you have a 2 bed need, but chose to rent a 1 bed, you would still be entitled to the 2 bed rate.
For more information on LHA rates go to the Direct Gov website
Will South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council be acting as guarantor for private landlords that require this?
No - we’re unable to act as a guarantor for private rentals.
There are a number of companies who can offer this service. If you find a company you wish to use, we could pay an arrangement fee. But, the contract would still be between your guest (the applicant) and the guarantor company.
Legal
Is there legal support available to Ukrainian nationals?
- The Ukraine Advice Project UK gives free legal advice to Ukrainian refugees
- Local firm Stone King’s Immigration Team offers legal advice. To get advice, send your details to ukraine@freemovement.org.uk