Homes for Ukraine Move to Independence Policy

This policy will have a timeframe of three years and will run from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.

The purpose of the policy is to support Ukrainian nationals, who arrived in Westmorland and Furness 
under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (HFU), to move into independent living. In March 2022 when the 
HFU scheme was initially introduced it was a hosting arrangement for a short period of 6 months, now with 
the conflict going into its third year, it is vital to introduce a mechanism for ‘guests’ to move on and become 
independent, if they want this option.

To be eligible for this support which will have a maximum amount of funding up to £7,500, ‘guests’ will need 
to be moving into independence between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027. Retrospective funding will be 
available under this policy to those who have moved on from 1 October 2023. Receipts must be provided 
in order to claim this financial support.

The council will financially support ‘guests’ to move within Westmorland and Furness and to other local 
authority areas. This policy is only applicable to those ‘guests’ who arrived in Westmorland and Furness 
where Government funding applied.

Four funding elements to the policy

Element one

The council will provide a deposit to a value based on LHA rates as below, if the landlord is requiring an 
additional deposit (e.g. 2 months rent) , then the amount provided will not exceed £2,000. Evidence must 
be provided of the transaction in order to release the funds and receipts must be obtained.

Deposits and rent in advance will not be available to those ‘guests’ in receipt of Universal Credit as the rent 
is backdated to the move in date. 

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates

• CAT A: a dwelling where the tenant has exclusive use of only one bedroom with shared use of other 
  facilities
• CAT B: a dwelling where the tenant has exclusive use of only one bedroom with exclusive use of other 
  facilities.
• CAT C: a dwelling where the tenant has the use of only two bedrooms
• CAT D: a dwelling where the tenant has the use of only three bedrooms
• CAT E: a dwelling where the tenant has the use of only four bedrooms

Element two

Essential items, must be capped at £2,000 per family with removal coats capped at £500, totalling £2,500 
(items ordered in house through Argos). The Council will not give ‘guests’ the equivalent monetary value. 
Following a discussion on agreed delivery and installation dates the council will order and pay for the 
following items, and cover the additional associated delivery and installation costs. 

• cooker 
• fridge/freezer
• x2 2 seat sofas or sofa and chair
• a double bed per couple
• single beds 
• washing machine 
• removal costs capped at £500 

Element three

Carpets and flooring will not be provided if already fitted in the property. Only ‘guests’ in social housing will 
be eligible for carpets and flooring. 

A whole house requiring carpets will be capped at £2000, this should include fitting costs. To be eligible, 
a quotation must be provided to the council in advance of any agreement. 

Suppliers to invoice directly to homesforukraine.waf@cumbria.gov.uk 

Element four

All ‘guests’ will be eligible for an additional £1000 payment to purchase items such as:

• curtains
• light fittings 
• towels
• bedding
• crockery
• cutlery 
• pans

We will not require receipts for Element 4.

In relation to elements 1 and 4, funds will be paid to the guest via an AllPay voucher which will be in the 
‘guests’ name.

To apply for this support package, please speak directly to your allocated Case Officer.