Becoming a Host

Everyone who arrives in Ireland seeking refuge will be placed in accommodation. In our experience, coming into a home is the kindest option.

As a host, you are offering someone a safe landing, a warm welcome and a pathway to integration here in Ireland. After you’ve read about what hosting is (and isn’t), read on to learn about the process of becoming a host.

How it works

When offering your accommodation you can do so privately (what we call DIY hosts) where you find your own guest(s) or you can be matched officially through an organisation.

It is the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY) who oversees the accommodation of displaced Ukrainians in pledged and emergency accommodation in Ireland. Activation of pledges is undertaken on the State’s behalf by The Irish Red Cross (IRC), IOM and the Local Authorities.

You can pledge accommodation via the Irish Red Cross Register of Pledges

Local Authorities are also activating pledges of vacant properties via the Offer A Home scheme. Find out more at www.offerahome.ie.

Keys to Successful Matching: What You Need to Know

Finding the right match for both hosts and guests takes time and effort to ensure safety and sustainability. Here are some points to keep in mind:

Matching Timelines Vary: The time it takes to find a suitable match can differ greatly. Factors like location (e.g., rural areas lacking public transport or support services) can make it challenging to find appropriate guests. In some cases, a suitable match may not be possible.
Consider Hosting More Than One: While many hosts can accommodate only one person, most Ukrainian refugees travel with family or close friends. We often find it's actually easier to host two relatives or a couple; they provide each other with support and companionship, making them less reliant on the host. We also find it more challenging to find accommodation for guests with pets, mothers with babies or toddlers, young adults, elderly guests, and those with disabilities. If you're able to host more than one, please consider it!
"DIY" Matching Essentials: If you're arranging a match independently (outside of an organisation), it's essential to verify your potential guests' ID and their Temporary Protection Letter or IRP card. You'll also need their PPS number to apply for the ARP scheme. For questions about eligibility, contact the ARP department at 0818 708090 or ARP@Welfare.ie.
Communicate Expectations with a Home Sharing Agreement: We highly recommend using our Home Sharing Agreement as a template to discuss house rules and expectations before your guest moves in. Open communication is vital, but remember that a certain leap of faith is required from both sides when hosting.
Understanding Guest Anxieties: While most move-ins go smoothly, some guests may find the process unsettling. They're moving into the home of a stranger and may be filled with anxiety. Sometimes, guests might panic at the last minute and choose to stay where they are rather than face the unknown. Please don't take this personally or let it discourage you from hosting in the future.

A Note on Unaccompanied Minors

If a child (under 18) arrives in Ireland on their own, Tusla will take them into their care and the child will be provided with certain financial and other support. If the child arrived with family or a guardian and has subsequently left in the care of someone with the parent's consent, they are not Tusla's concern and will not be provided with financial or other support. Their care is the responsibility of the person the parents have authorised.

Helping Irish Hosts will never place unaccompanied children under the age of 18 in the care of a Host. They will always be accompanied by a legal guardian, usually their mother.

Garda Vetting for Hosts

It is a statutory requirement that all individuals, volunteers or paid, working with Children and Vulnerable Persons have completed Garda vetting clearance before engaging with an Organisation or services.

If you are being matched with your guests through an organisation and you are offering to accommodate a guest with children, anyone living in the house over the age of 16 must go through the Garda Vetting process. This applies even if you have current Garda Vetting from your employer or a community group.

You are not required to be Garda vetted if your arrangement is a private agreement between you and your guests. If you’ve made an arrangement in this way, it is not possible or required to seek to be vetted retrospectively.

Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP)

The Government ARP is a ‘recognition payment’ for hosts who are accommodating displaced people who are under Temporary Protection. From June 2025 the ARP will be set at a rate of €600 per month per Eircode. For more information on ARP, visit Understanding ARP.