Who we are

Helping Irish Hosts (HIH) began as a grassroots response to the Ukraine crisis in February 2022. Founded by a group of hosts and supported by displaced and Irish-based Ukrainians, our aim was simple and urgent: to help people fleeing war find safety and solidarity in Irish homes - and to offer a real alternative to Direct Provision and long-term institutional accommodation.

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With seed funding from The One Foundation, The Community Foundation, and Choose Love, HIH quickly grew from a kitchen-table initiative into a national organisation. By 2023, we had joined a government-backed consortium led by the Irish Red Cross - alongside IOM and the Peter McVerry Trust - to activate public accommodation pledges.
 

Over three years, we matched more than 3,000 Ukrainians into 1,492 host homes across Ireland, built a trusted support network, and championed the voices of hosts and guests in national policy conversations. Thousands of independently matched households also turned to us for help. Our support line provided practical, compassionate assistance in fragile and often complex situations. We travelled the country - listening, empowering, and building confidence in hosting.

 

We listened. We learned. And we said thank you.

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Today, although our core funding has ended, HIH continues as a volunteer-led not-for-profit, with an active board and strong governance. We operate a part-time support hotline, provide resources for hosts and guests, and partner with UCD and Pairity on an EU-funded integration project in North Kildare.

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Our mission remains unchanged: to support safe, sustainable hosting that puts people (wherever they're from) and community at the centre.

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Governance information, case studies, and audited accounts (2022/23, 2023/24, and 2025/26) are available on request.