Background information

On 9 July 2022, the European Commission presented targeted guidance on the "Safe Homes" initiative, aimed at supporting those private persons across the EU who have opened their homes to accept displaced persons. The initiative has been already announced in the Commission’s Communication of 23 March 2022: "Welcoming those fleeing war in Ukraine - readying Europe to meet the needs" . The document consolidates the experience, considerations, guidance and good practices from the EU Member States, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), regions, cities, civil society, foundations, entrepreneurs and individuals involved in these effort. This is all the more important as the number of displaced persons accommodated by private hosts varies from 20 to 90%, depending on the Member State, and policies regarding this phenomenon vary considerably.

Content of measure

The Guidance for Safe Homes presents good practices developed in different Member States. It also includes a list of potential problems and issues that should be taken into account when "locating" Ukrainian citizens in private homes. Based on this, the Guidance discusses key principles to help host families, facilitate proper matching and ensure that private housing arrangements are appropriate and safe. The document promotes the active involvement of local communities in welcoming newcomers by supporting housing and access to services such as education, employment and healthcare. In addition, the Guidance emphasizes sustainable housing solutions for the future, drawing on examples and good practices from local authorities, civil society, the private sector and all actors involved. It also provides for support for transnational integration projects and community sponsorship programs through the available EU funds. A specific section is dedicated to addressing particular challenges - including those related to the hosting of people belonging to vulnerable groups and people travelling with pets.

Use of measure

n.a.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Local / regional government	European Funds Local funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There was no involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

There has been no reaction from the social partners to this particular initiative. However, the overall package of EU support for war refugees is generally positively received by them.

Sources

• 23 March 2022: COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Welcoming those fleeing war in Ukraine: Readying Europe to meet the needs (ec.europa.eu)
• 06 July 2022: Solidarity and housing: Supporting Safe Homes Considerations, key principles and practices (ec.europa.eu)