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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