Who we are

Helping Irish Hosts (HIH) was formed by a group of hosts, working together with displaced and Irish-based Ukrainians, to get people into Irish homes – quickly – to give them a soft landing, while avoiding Direct Provision and long term government accommodation stays.  

 

We arose in direct response to the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, with a mission to empower and support individuals and communities in Ireland to host displaced Ukrainians in their homes, safely and sustainably. Two years on, hosts continue to step up, offering shelter, safety and a pathway to integration. Our mission now is to make hosting sustainable and to recognise the important role it plays in Ireland’s refugee accommodation response. 

 

We've grown quickly from our grassroots beginnings and now have a highly motivated team of over 25 purpose-driven people - paid staff and volunteers - working on matching, supporting hosts and guests, and growing our operations. We’ve matched over 2,000 Ukrainians in more than a thousand host homes across Ireland, created a vibrant, trusted support network and presented a strong voice in advocacy for hosts at all levels. Our range of supports and resources are open to all hosts and guests, however their match came about. 

 

HIH has proven its impact, commitment and solution-driven approach in developing Europe’s largest and most sustainable Hosting Programme and in advocating for its extension to programme refugees.

 

In April 2023, we joined a consortium of partners responsible for the activation of public accommodation pledges on behalf of the State (DCEDIY), along with IOM, the Peter McVerry Trust and lead consortium partner, The Irish Red Cross. 

 

We are registered as a not for profit Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). We are not a charity. We were seed funded by The One Foundation, The Sunflower Foundation, The Community Foundation, The Shapiro Foundation and Choose Love. 

 

Our ongoing work is facilitated through a Service Level Agreement with The Irish Red Cross, who are funded and mandated by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to lead the consortium partnership.

 

Our governance structure, case studies and audited accounts (2022/3) are available on request.