RefugeeHomeNL is a collaboration between the Red Cross, Salvation Army, VluchtelingenWerk Nederland and Takecarebnb, under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The goal of RefugeeHomeNL is to coordinate and guide the reception of refugees from Ukraine in Dutch host families. The Ministry and the participating parties have mutually decided to conclude the project on December 31, 2023.

Need help for shelter of housing in the Netherlands?

Visit http://www.refugeehelp.nl for comprehensive information on available options for shelter and housing in the Netherlands. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland provides various means of contact for additional help and advice. Refer to this page for more details.

Lately, we’ve noticed a recurring trend where host families and guests enter into rental or loan agreements. In this message, we outline some pros and cons of this practice. We strongly advise you to seek thorough information beforehand, as it can have a significant impact on both the guest and the host family.

Not Private Accommodation

Once a host family and guest enter into a rental contract or any other type of agreement, they no longer fall under private accommodation. The mutual voluntary arrangement for accommodation ceases to exist. In this case, RefugeeHomeNL maintains the position that we can no longer provide guidance. Our role is limited to coordinating and supporting private accommodation.

Different Rights and Responsibilities

Formalizing cohabitation through a rental contract or agreement introduces different rights and responsibilities for both the guest and host family. This situation can also have (negative) financial consequences. For instance, it might lead to the discontinuation of the guest’s allowance and potential impacts on the host family’s benefits and allowances. Additionally, rental income is subject to income tax.

Seek Proper Information

On the other hand, formalizing accommodation through a rental contract can also bring advantages. This includes offering the guest a perspective of a longer-term stay with the associated rights and responsibilities, or significantly contributing to the host family’s housing and energy expenses. Our advice is to get well-informed about the pros and cons. This page could be a useful starting point for gathering information.

Third-country nationals are individuals who have fled from Ukraine to the Netherlands and possess only a temporary residency status for Ukraine, such as a work or study visa. These individuals fall under the Temporary Directive until September 4, 2023.

Return or Asylum Application

For third-country nationals, it is required that they leave the Netherlands by September 4. A significant portion of this group has already applied for asylum in the Netherlands. They are allowed to remain in the country until the asylum procedure is completed.

Third-Country Nationals and RefugeeHomeNL

Currently, an estimated 15 individuals are residing in private accommodation through RefugeeHomeNL. When known, we maintain close contact with both the guest and the host family. Individuals who are already in the asylum process are allowed to continue living with their host family. However, their stay will continue under the COA’s so-called “logeerregeling” (temporary stay arrangement). Support from RefugeeHomeNL for both the guest and the host family ceases at that point.

At the end of this year, a report on the RefugeeHomeNL project will be published, sharing the project’s outcomes. In addition to figures, graphs, and tables, we also aim to present the story behind RefugeeHomeNL through the firsthand experiences of guests and host families.

Have you, as a host family, shared a beautiful, moving, intense, or loving story with your guest? If so, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your contribution, up to a maximum of 2,000 words, preferably along with a few photos, to refugeehomenl@redcross.nl. We will then get in touch with you as soon as possible.

As of February 1, the living allowance for Ukrainians has changed. The amount of the living allowance now depends on the size and composition of the family. Ukrainians staying in host families also receive an additional monthly allowance of €93 per person. This money can be used for public transport, family visits and sports, for example. They can also use the money to contribute to the costs of the host family. However, this is not mandatory.

Tip: engage in conversation

Many guests and host families who live together through RefugeeHomeNL have made agreements about a contribution to the costs. Our advice is to discuss this with each other. What do the changes in the living allowance mean for your agreements? And can guest and host family come to new agreements? If desired, the Salvation Army guest housekeeper can help you with this. Of course, it is not the intention that the (voluntary) contribution of the guest exceeds the amount of his or her living allowance.

More information

The national government has translated the changes to the living allowance into clear factsheets. The fact sheets are available in Dutch, English and Ukrainian. You can download the factsheets here.