This weekend, the State Secretary for Justice and Security, following the advice of the Council of State, has decided that ‘third-country nationals’ will continue to have the right to stay in the Netherlands until the Council of State reaches a final verdict on this matter. Therefore, they do not have to leave the place where they are staying by September 4th.

Initiating a Procedure

The reason behind this decision is a series of expedited rulings by the Council of State regarding the right of residence for third-country nationals. The Council of State acknowledges that these rulings may not directly apply to all third-country nationals, but they serve as guiding principles. This means that all third-country nationals who appeal against a decision requiring them to leave the country are allowed to remain in reception facilities until a final ruling is issued. However, it is still crucial for third-country nationals to initiate a procedure against the decision to terminate the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). To do this, they must be connected with a lawyer through the legal aid board if they haven’t done so already. This will enable the lawyer to respond within the prescribed timeframe.

Helpdesk for Third-Country Nationals

The legal helpdesk of Vluchtelingenwerk (Refugee Work) is ready to answer questions from third-country nationals and provide assistance in initiating procedures. The Ukraine helpdesk can be reached by phone every working day at 020-3467250 or by email at helpdesk@vluchtelingenwerk.nl.

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.

Why is RefugeeHomeNL being terminated?

The main reason is the significant decrease in the number of guests and host families. Additionally, we observe that:

• Guests prefer cities and regions where no available host families exist
• The need for guidance by RefugeeHomeNL for individuals who cohabitate for an extended period is minimal
• Guests have a demand for more structural housing solutions in the Netherlands

The final new cohabitation arrangements will commence in September. A stay through RefugeeHomeNL is committed for a duration of 3 months. This ensures that all guests and host families receive guidance and support until the end of the cohabitation period.

What does the conclusion of RefugeeHomeNL mean?

• Guests and host families cohabitating will continue to receive guidance from RefugeeHomeNL until the end of this year
• If cohabitation concludes in 2023, we will provide as much support as possible for the departure of the guest and host family
• In amicable agreement, they can decide to continue cohabitating in 2024, but without our guidance
• Starting from August 25th, it will no longer be possible to sign up as a guest or host family for the project
• No new processes for matching and cohabitating will be initiated
• The last new cohabitations will commence in September

Information for refugees staying in host families through RefugeeHomeNL

All guests and host families have been informed via email and letter about the conclusion of RefugeeHomeNL. For guests currently residing in host families through RefugeeHomeNL, the following applies:

• Guests and host families cohabitating will continue to receive support from RefugeeHomeNL until the end of this year
• If cohabitation concludes in 2023, we will provide as much support as possible for the departure of the guest and host family
• In amicable agreement, they can decide to continue cohabitating in 2024, but without our guidance
• Guests and host families are invited to discuss amongst themselves whether to extend or conclude their stay

Information for those who applied for a stay through RefugeeHomeNL

You had applied to be considered for placement with a Dutch host family. Unfortunately, due to the termination of the project, we are no longer able to offer you a placement. You still retain the right to receive support in the Netherlands.

• If you are currently staying in a Municipal Shelter and seeking an alternative, please inquire with the municipality where you are residing for available options.
• If you are currently in private shelter and looking for alternatives, please consult the municipality where you are staying for further guidance.
• Apart from Municipal and Private Accommodation, you can also explore finding independent housing, such as rentals, purchases, boarding houses, hostels, etc.
• If you are currently in Ukraine or another country and planning to come to the Netherlands, you can find information here: https://www.refugeehelp.nl/en/ukrainian-refugee/126-arrival-in-the-netherlands

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.