Ukrainians in the UK are facing a hidden crisis

Ukrainian flag in London, UK (Credit: Michael Ting / Alamy Stock Photo)

4 min read10 June

In 2022, the UK welcomed Ukrainians fleeing conflict. But three years on, homelessness research by the the British Red Cross reveals a hidden crisis.

The findings show displaced Ukrainians remain more than twice as likely to experience homelessness than the general UK population. With the government Spending Review around the corner, we need to shore up support.

To date, over 220,000 people have reached safety in the UK, through schemes like Homes for Ukraine and the Family Scheme. The public provided a warm welcome. Local authorities mobilised. Government support was swift. Many Ukrainians have settled into homes, jobs and education. But many are still struggling to find secure housing.

If the UK is serious about helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives, we must do more than open the door. We must keep it open

The Ukraine schemes weren't built for longevity. Hosting arrangements sometimes faltered after six months. Barriers – including to employment and childcare – made it difficult for many Ukrainians to become financially independent. By April-May 2024, 50 per cent of Ukrainians reported being unable to access the private rented sector. Our research identified unachievable deposits, unaffordable rents, and a lack of guarantors as key challenges. Short-term visas also interfere with job prospects and are unattractive to landlords.  

The truth is, we can’t afford to treat housing as an afterthought in refugee protection. Having a safe home isn’t a luxury – it’s a foundation for rebuilding lives.  

The UK public agrees. A survey we commissioned in April*, found that around six in 10 (58 per cent) UK adults support the government providing long-term support to Ukrainian refugees who have been given legal right to stay, to settle into UK life.

Homelessness also comes at a cost to the public purse. Our research estimates that around £13.8m per year has been spent on temporary accommodation. But sustainable options in social, affordable and private housing are far more cost effective.     

With the Spending Review approaching, we recommend that policymakers invest in what our research has shown to be best practice. This includes making it easier for Ukrainians to rent privately – for example by: funding local councils to provide rent deposit schemes to all displaced people consistently across the UK; incentivising landlords to rent to displaced people; increasing the Local Housing Allowance in line with market rates; and investing in English language training and employment support so people can access decent work.

It also means investing in social and affordable housing, for instance by launching a further round of the Local Authority Housing Fund to help councils house those at risk of homelessness and increase overall housing stock. 

And finally, we must plan for the future by ensuring local authorities receive long-term integration funding, so they can prepare to welcome new arrivals and offer the support needed for them to rebuild their lives.

Often, it’s simple interventions that make the difference between someone keeping or losing the roof over their head. Earlier this year, the British Red Cross helped a mother and her seven-year-old son who faced eviction. Working with the local authority and her sponsor, we were able to help her navigate the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, set up a tenancy agreement and keep her home. 

Sometimes small actions – talking to a landlord or accessing rent deposit schemes – are all that’s needed. But we must maintain these resources. If the UK is serious about helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives, we must do more than open the door. We must keep it open by investing in long-term housing solutions, securing long-term status, and treating all displaced people with dignity and care.

That’s how we turn welcome into something lasting. That’s how we turn safety into home.  

* Opinium Research, on behalf of The British Red Cross, surveyed 2,000 UK adults (18+) between the 17th and 22nd April 2025. The sample was weighted to be nationally representative. 

Mubeen Bhutta is director of policy, research and advocacy at the British Red Cross