Press Release

Irish Red Cross releases comprehensive Ukraine accommodation host survey findings

Feb 25, 2025

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A group of people stand in front of a black iron gate outside a historic stone building, holding documents. They are dressed in professional and semi-formal attire. The sky is clear, and leafless tree branches frame the top of the image.

The Irish Red Cross has unveiled the findings of its Ukraine Pledged Accommodation Host Survey at the Oireachtas today, offering valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and motivations of Irish hosts who have opened their homes to welcome people displaced by the war in Ukraine. This critical research of over 1,600 people (representing 12% of the host population) sheds light on the broader impact of Ireland’s humanitarian response and the necessity for continued support mechanisms. Interestingly 66% of hosts surveyed who wish to extend their pledges are open to hosting people from other countries and 86% said the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) of €800 per month is important to the continuation of their hosting arrangement.

Key Findings 

According to the Department of Social Protection (January 2025), 18,991 hosts across Ireland have accommodated displaced individuals from Ukraine. The survey, which drew 1,614 responses, provides a detailed analysis of the host experience. 

Motivations for Hosting 

  • 53% of hosts cited the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) (€800 per month) as a key factor. 
  • 54% stated that their motivation was based on solidarity with displaced Ukrainians. 
  • 18% were encouraged to host because someone they knew was doing it or had asked them to. 
  • Older hosts were 17% more likely to be motivated by solidarity. 

Positive Hosting Experiences & Integration Success 

  • 91% of hosts reported a positive hosting experience. 
  • 83% believe they played a role in helping their guests integrate. 
  • 70% of hosts feel their guests have successfully become part of the local community. 
  • 56% of hosts who engaged in face-to-face conversations saw their guests improve their English skills. 

Hosting is more than shelter; it’s about integration. Hosts are guides, mentors, and bridges into Irish society. They help with language, local networks, and creating a true sense of belonging.

License Agreements & Financial Support 

  • 66% of hosts found license agreements helpful, reducing challenges related to financial strain and family life. 
  • 86% of hosts say the ARP is crucial to their ability to continue hosting. 
  • Extending the ARP is essential for long-term sustainability of the host accommodation solution. 

Challenges Faced by Hosts 

Despite overall positive experiences, challenges remain: 

  • 66% of hosts find worry about their guests’ future challenging. 
  • 52% said the language barrier is a challenge. 
  • 42% struggle with long-term planning and financial costs. 
  • Hosts matched independently (not through Irish Red Cross and its consortium partners, or local authorities) report 11% higher financial strain and 25% greater challenges in sharing space. 

Host Survey Demographics & Profiles 

  • Most respondents host 1-3 Ukrainian guests and have been hosting for over a year. 
  • 74% of respondents were first-time hosts before this initiative. 
  • 40% of host households include children. 
  • 24% of hosts are in Dublin, with the remainder spread across Ireland. 
  • Most hosts are aged between 40 and 60 years old. 

Rural vs. Urban Hosting Differences 

  • 42% of hosts live in rural areas, with 10% in locations with no or limited transport options. 
  • Hosts in well-connected rural areas report similar access to support services as their urban counterparts. 
  • Rural hosts with poor transport access are 12% more concerned about their guests’ future. 

Policy Recommendations 

Based on the survey findings, the Irish Red Cross has outlined five key policy recommendations: 

  1. Extend the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) until March 2026. 
  2. Explore ARP as a potential accommodation solution for other displaced groups. 
  3. Promote the use of license agreements to formalise and better regulate hosting arrangements. 
  4. Harness the integration benefits from hosting to strengthen integration support and language learning opportunities. 
  5. Develop a structured exit strategy for transitioning out of the ARP program and the Temporary Protection Directive. 

Looking Ahead 

Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross said “The survey highlights the incredible generosity and resilience of Irish hosts and underscores the importance of sustained support for those opening their homes. With 81% of hosts willing to extend their pledges, the Irish Red Cross calls on policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise continued funding and structured support mechanisms to ensure a stable future for both hosts and guests. Hosting is more than shelter; it’s about integration. Hosts are guides, mentors, and bridges into Irish society. They help with language, local networks, and creating a true sense of belonging.”   

ENDS 

The Irish Red Cross leads a consortium of partners who engage in the Ukraine Accommodation pledge programme, funded by DCEDIY.  The partners are Helping Irish Hosts (HIH) and IOM. Through the Irish Red Cross and its partners, over 13,000 Ukrainian people have found safety in more than 6,000 homes across Ireland. The Irish Red Cross started its work with the Accommodation pledge programme in 2015 for the Syrian response. 

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