Housing hosts needed to support displaced Ukrainians

British Columbians interested in helping Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing conflict in their country, can find out more at an information event this month.

It has been over a year since the Russian invasion began, and since then, over 130,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada, 11,000 in B.C. alone.

“Community members across the Southern Interior opened their homes to welcome close to 1,000 Ukrainians, and as the conflict continues, more support will be needed to welcome and house more Ukrainians who are expected to arrive in our province in the coming weeks and months,” Pinder Rehal, public relations, marketing and communications with United Way BC, told Vernon Matters.

United Way BC, through a partnership with the B.C. government, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies & Service Agencies of BC, has helped 530 British Columbians apply to become hosts to around 400 displaced Ukrainians over the past year.

United Way BC’s United for Ukraine initiative is hosting a free virtual information session on April 14 to provide information to residents interested in supporting arriving Ukrainians as hosts.

“Perhaps you are leaving for the summer and have an apartment or house available, or you have extra room for someone who needs short-term accommodation – now is a chance to make a meaningful contribution to displaced Ukrainians arriving in our province,” a news release from United Way stated
the .

For more information on the session, contact info-ukraine@uwbc.ca or register online here.

People can also review a FAQs document that details the United for Ukraine housing initiative.