Ukrainians' experiences with home accommodation — care, warmth, and help with adaptation

The House of Helsinki’s Mapping the needs of people who fled the war in Ukraine and now reside in Finland (2025) indicates that Ukrainians’ experiences with home accommodation have been mostly very positive. The mapping highlights several benefits of home accommodation, including adaptation, integration, participation, and social connections, as well as the formation of meaningful relationships during the accommodation period. This article analyzes these responses and compares the experiences of those who have been housed in private homes versus other respondents, with a particular emphasis on social relationships and integration. 

Between July and September 2024, a survey was distributed to people who had fled the war and were residing in Finland, receiving a total of 686 responses. In addition, the mapping included interviews conducted both in person and remotely. Among the survey participants, 54 had lived in home accommodation, defined as “housing with local residents without rent”. The Home Accommodation Support Association (Kotimajoituksen tuki ry) participated in the mapping's working group as specialist, bringing perspectives on home accommodation to the questionnaire. 

Home accommodation is voluntary, non-compensated, and mutually agreed shared living that promotes two-way integration and is based on equality, with an emphasis on ensuring the safety of all parties involved. People seek home accommodation for diverse backgrounds and reasons, such as proximity to relatives, access to work or study opportunities, a desire to stay in a familiar location, or experiences of lack of privacy or feelings of insecurity in reception center housing.

In April 2025, 45 percent of Ukrainian clients in reception centers in Finland lived in private accommodation (Finnish Immigration Service 2025a), which also includes home accommodation. The proportion of private accommodation was significantly higher shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, when about 70 percent of Ukrainians receiving temporary protection lived in private accommodation (Toivonen 2022). At that time, thousands of Ukrainians were housed in the homes of strangers. 

People offering home accommodation, The Home Accommodation Support Association, and volunteers from the Home Accommodation Network across Finland played a crucial role as bridge-builders, especially in the early stages of the war, when government assistance and information were slow, difficult to access, and inefficient. The contributions of volunteers and home accommodators have been invaluable, filling gaps in public services, such as the lack of initial reception center housing for Ukrainians arriving with pets.

According to the mapping, residents of reception centers have generally been satisfied with their living conditions, though challenges such as overcrowded spaces, unresolved complaints, and lack of privacy have emerged (House of Helsinki 2025a). In contrast, open-ended responses regarding home accommodation highlighted peace, security, and experiences of participation, emotional support, integration, and adaptation within local homes. 

Social relationships and connections formed during home accommodation were also emphasized in the survey responses. The survey found that 60 percent of Ukrainian respondents felt their social interactions were limited, whereas those in home accommodation had more connections and were more satisfied with their social life (House of Helsinki 2025a). Additionally, 17 percent of those not living in home accommodation reported having no social contacts, compared to only 4 percent among those who had lived in home accommodation.

Among those who had lived in home accommodation, one-fourth were satisfied with their social interactions, whereas the corresponding figure among residents of other types of accommodation was 17 percent. Those in other forms of housing also expressed a greater desire for connections with Finns, Ukrainians, and other immigrants compared to those who had experienced home accommodation. 

However, in both response groups, more than half wished to receive information about places, events, courses, and workshops where they could meet and spend time with others. The table illustrates the quantity and quality of social relationships experienced by those in home accommodation compared to those in other types of housing. 

Everyday interactions and community-driven initiatives play a significant role, especially for elderly individuals, single parents, and people with disabilities, whose opportunities for participation may be limited (House of Helsinki 2025b). Home accommodation was perceived as fostering meaningful and important relationships between hosts and guests, many of which continued even after the accommodation period ended. In some cases, home accommodators and their guests became friends or even part of an extended family.

Open-ended responses described home accommodation experiences as follows: 

“ It was a wonderful experience, full of care, warmth, and help with adaptation. We are still friends. This is my Finnish family!”

“Oh, I just take my hat off to this! The Finnish family I lived with helped with everything, even after I moved to another place provided by the center. They helped with school, work, integration, and relocation.”

“ I am infinitely grateful to the family we live with. They not only opened their doors to us but also their hearts. They introduced us to their traditions and culture, attended all important events, and helped us practice the language.”

Although people offering home accommodation are not required to have therapy skills, specialized knowledge of reception services, or financial support, many hosts provided comprehensive assistance to Ukrainians in settling, adapting, and integrating. Those who opened their homes played a significant role in the adjustment process, particularly in the first months (House of Helsinki 2025a). 

Home accommodation has provided emotional support, social connections, and practical assistance. The presence of others and shared daily life helped to shift negative thoughts and settle into a new situation in the peace of home. At the same time, the support was also highly practical, including document translation, navigating bureaucracy and legal matters, as well as assistance with finding jobs, study opportunities, language courses, or housing. 

The majority of survey respondents expressed a desire to build relationships with Finns, other Ukrainians, and immigrants, highlighting the need for spaces that foster intercultural interactions. Establishing opportunities for social engagement and community-building between Ukrainians and Finns can also significantly improve the well-being of Ukrainian residents (House of Helsinki 2025a). 

Many temporary protection recipients have already settled in locations where they have formed connections with both fellow Ukrainians and Finns. Some have just completed a school year, some are employed, and others are looking to continue higher education (Konttinen 2025). While many Ukrainians have registered their place of residence, the demand for home accommodation remains urgent. Estimates suggest that in 2025, between 8,000 and 12,000 Ukrainians will apply for temporary protection, while 2,000 to 3,000 people will seek asylum (Finnish Immigration Service 2025b). The need for home accommodation is particularly emphasized in larger cities, where reception centers are closing or where existing reception housing is limited. 

Providing home accommodation is not only an alternative to living in a reception center, but also a way for people settled in a community to remain there when local reception centers close. At the same time, it fosters connections between individuals, which is essential for integration, quality of life, and a sense of meaning. Opening one's home is a tangible act of solidarity and a countercultural move amid a society focused on individualism. 

At the heart of solidarity lies empathy, and when channeled into action, it can drive broader social change. In this way, one room can change the world. 

If you are interested in home accommodation, you can explore the "For the home stay provider" section here. 

Photo: Outi Neuvonen 2022 

Sources: 

House of Helsinki (2025a) Mapping the needs of people who fled the war in Ukraine and now reside in Finland. House of Helsinki, March 2025. Available: https://www.houseofhelsinki.fi/fi/mapping-needs 

House of Helsinki (2025b) The Power of Volunteering in Finland. 9.5.2025. Available: https://www.houseofhelsinki.fi/post/from-displacement-to-belonging-the-power-of-volunteering-in-finland 

Finnish Immigration Service (2025a) Information services. 17.4.2025. [Email response to information request] 

Finnish Immigration Service (2025b) Forecasts about the number of applications. Available: https://migri.fi/en/forecasts 

Toivonen, Terhi (2022) Ukrainalaispakolaisten elannossa ja asumisessa yllättäviä vaikeuksia – näin Suomi yrittää ratkaista ne. Yle.fi. 6.5.2022. Available: https://yle.fi/a/3-12434565 

Konttinen, Jussi (2025) Tästä tuli meidän nuoruutemme. Helsingin Sanomat. 18.5.2025. Available: https://www.hs.fi/feature/art-2000010879567.html