Ukraine Crisis

Waterford City and County Council is urging people to consider offering a home to those displaced by the war in Ukraine.

For anyone who has a house, apartment, holiday home or even a spare room, the process of Offering a Home has never been easier.

Waterford City and County Council’s Ukrainian Refugee Response Team provides a holistic approach to anyone considering pledging a property and oversees and manages the process from property reviews to relationship management.

A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available to anybody offering accommodation to those fleeing Ukraine.

Noeleen Osborne, Project Co-ordinator says, “It’s natural that some people may have reservations about opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees, and the commitment that it entails.

“Our Ukrainian Refugee Response Team takes on the full process, including everything from matching the right property to the right individual or family. From experience we have found that once the correct foundations are put in place, homeowners who have pledged a property or a room are invariably very happy with the whole experience.”

The Ukrainian Refugee Response Team consists of an Initiation Officer, who provides information and next step guidance to any homeowner considering offering a home.  The team’s Property Reviewer will then review and catalogue the property.

Waterford City and County Council’s experienced Ukrainian Response Team is dedicated to making the process of matching, meeting and placing as seamless as possible for both homeowner and refugee(s).

The relationship begins from the moment the homeowner receives the initial call from the Relationship Manager. They will provide all relevant information, answer questions and work with the homeowner to find a suitable match with ongoing support to both parties throughout the duration of the stay.  This approach has proven to be hugely successful to date with many new pledges of accommodation coming on the recommendation of existing pledgers.

Noeleen added, “For anybody who is considering pledging a property or a room, we would encourage them to get in touch with the team.  The first step is quite literally a conversation, with no commitment.  If a homeowner is then happy to proceed, we’ll work through the whole process with them, informing and supporting them at all stages of the process.”

For further information you can contact the Ukrainian Refugee Response Team by calling 058 22059 or emailing offerahome@waterfordcouncil.ie

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Image: Waterford City and County Council Ukrainian Refugee Response Team

l-r: Kay Sinnott-Browne Relationship Manager, Clara Murphy Initiation Officer, Noeleen Osborne Project Co-Ordinator, Eamonn Clancy Property Reviewer and Fiona Browne Relationship Manager

Waterford City and County Council is appealing to those who have unoccupied properties to offer them as temporary homes for those fleeing war in Ukraine.

The call is part of a new government initiative, led by local authorities, to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to house Ukrainian people and families.

A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties used to house those arriving from Ukraine. This payment rate applies from December 1^st 2022.

More than 60,000 people have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine seeking safety and the vast majority need accommodation.

Under a new programme, Waterford City and County Council will take offers of houses, apartments or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suitability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families.

Those who offer a property can expect to be contacted by the council within 5 working days of making their offer and an assessment of the property will be carried out by Waterford Council staff shortly after.  The assessment is to ensure the property is habitable and to get some details so it can be matched to the most appropriate person or family. 

Anybody who offers a property will be able to check the status of their offer at any stage through the website www.offerahome.ie.  

This is a call for stand-alone properties that are not occupied by others. Properties should be in liveable condition and, ideally, available for at least 6 months.  While rent will not be payable to those who offer properties, a tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available from the Department of Social Protection to those who offer accommodation to Ukrainians.

Appealing to the people of Waterford to offer unused properties, Sinéad Breathnach, WCCC Ukrainian Refugee Lead said, “The Irish and particularly Waterford people have shown incredible support for the people of Ukraine. We know that people are very anxious to help where they can so we’re appealing to anybody who has a house, apartment, or holiday home here in Waterford that they’re not using at the moment to consider offering it to those who need shelter and safety from war.

“We understand that it can be daunting to offer a property to someone you don’t know. That is why dedicated Waterford Council staff will work with you throughout the process and be there to offer support while your property is being used.

“If you have a property that is otherwise going to be empty this winter, please consider offering it for those who badly need a safe home for a while,” Ms. Breathnach concluded.

To offer a property or for more information, visit www.offerahome.ie or make contact with Waterford Council at email offerahome@waterfordcouncil.ie or by telephone on 058 22059.

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For further information:

Sinéad Breathnach
Ukrainian Community Response and Accommodation Lead
Community & Sports Department
Waterford City & County Council

Notes

• Under this programme, local authorities are seeking offers of stand-alone properties that are not occupied by others and have their own entrance door and all the main facilities required for independent living.
• This is not a call for properties that would be shared with the owner or others. Pledges of shared accommodation may be made via the Irish Red Cross.
• The public can offer a property by setting up an account at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which the property is located. Contact details for Waterford Council are offerahome@waterfordcouncil.ie or 058 22059.
• Properties need to be habitable and must meet certain health and safety standards, agreed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
• The local authority will arrange to assess properties to make sure these standards are met.
• Ideally, properties would be available for 6 months or longer.
• Offers will not result in rental arrangements, and rent will not be paid. However, it is recommended that the owner and beneficiaries enter into a licence agreement. A template licence agreement can be provided by the local authority.
• The Government has introduced a Recognition Payment Scheme for those who provide accommodation to Ukrainians. Under this scheme, a monthly flat rate of €800 per property is payable to all those hosting Ukrainian temporary protection beneficiaries. The payment linked to a minimum hosting commitment of 6 months.

Modeligo Community comes together in solidarity with Ukraine

The west Waterford community of Modeligo is preparing to welcome two Ukrainian families this month, as renovations on the area’s old parochial house near completion.  The works have been driven by the newly formed Modeligo Community Development group, which is busy preparing to meet the new families.

Pat Fitzgerald, chair of the group said, “Our group came together in response to the refugee crisis with a view to seeing what we could do here in Modeligo.  Five weeks later, thanks to the help of many people, we have a house ready to accommodate two families.”

Appeals were sent to the wider community on social media and via radio with the response from locals and tradespeople being “very positive” according to Kevin Hickey, project manager of the renovation.  Users of Facebook have also been able to keep up with progress on the project with one post thanking the long list of fantastic trades who came and supported the project.

Ivan Grimes, Waterford City and County Council’s Director of Services for Housing commented that “while the humanitarian crisis has proved a challenge, the local authority is now in a position to move some families out of our 4 rest centres, including the two families who will benefit from this excellent community initiative in Modeligo – two women and six children – who were previously accommodated here in Waterford city.”

On Friday last, 13^th May, Olena A, Vera, and Olena S along with their children, paid a visit to the parochial house to view the community efforts, and the area, for themselves.  The three boys and a girl will start at the local national school, and two older girls will start secondary school at Blackwater Community School.  The children were welcomed with open arms by the teachers and pupils and are very much looking forward to starting their new journey.

Sinéad Breathnach of Waterford City and County Council’s Response Team added,  “The families are most grateful to the people of Waterford and Modeligo in particular, and are looking forward to their move to long term accommodation and integrating into the Modeligo community.”

A dedicated phone line and email address have been set up by the Council to receive pledges of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees at pledge@waterfordcouncil.ie or by calling 058 22059.

Waterford City & County Council is seeking emergency shelter and accommodation facilities in Waterford City & County for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Vacant and shared properties are urgently required for a minimum period of six to twelve months.

To pledge your accommodation or property,  please contact the Waterford City and County Council by emailing pledge@waterfordcouncil.ie or by telephone to 058 22059 between the hours of 10am to 7pm seven days a week.

Waterford City & County Council is seeking emergency shelter and accommodation facilities in Waterford City & County for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Vacant and shared properties are urgently required for a minimum period of six to twelve months.

To pledge your accommodation or property,  please contact the Waterford City and County Council by emailing pledge@waterfordcouncil.ie or by telephone to 058 22059 between the hours of 10am to 7pm seven days a week.

Waterford City & County Council is seeking emergency shelter and accommodation facilities in Waterford City & County for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Vacant and shared properties are urgently required for a minimum period of six to twelve months.

To pledge your accommodation or property,  please contact the Waterford City and County Council by emailing pledge@waterfordcouncil.ie or by telephone to 058 22059 between the hours of 10am to 7pm seven days a week.