A lot of bureaucracy awaits host families

Host families sometimes play a central role in the accommodation of refugees, for example in Obwalden. When it comes to compensation, however, the cantons are taking their own individual approach.

First and foremost came the solidarity. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, many Swiss spontaneously showed themselves willing to take in refugees. But some very fundamental questions have arisen over time, such as: who pays for food and accommodation?

A patchwork carpet has been created here. On average, the Confederation pays the cantons a lump sum of CHF 1,500 per month per refugee. How this money is passed on to private households varies depending on the canton. The Conference of Cantonal Social Directors only recommends that host families be compensated with a lump sum contribution.

The Canton of Lucerne receives exactly CHF 1,523.54 per month per refugee from the Confederation. Of this, CHF 220 is earmarked for rental costs. The care element is compensated with a further almost CHF 280.

Money for host families is only available in Lucerne via social assistance
In the canton of Lucerne, however, host families are not directly compensated for board and lodging. They must first conclude a sublease agreement with the refugees. The refugees, in turn, must contact the Social Service of the Cantonal Asylum And Refugee Service if they are in financial need. "If they are privately accommodated and have concluded a sublease agreement with the private hosts, part of the rental costs can be covered as part of the social assistance," explains Silvia Bolliger, head of the department. The local rental guidelines must also be followed. Social Assistance also covers food needs.

Compared to other cantons, the procedure in Lucerne is complicated.
In Zug, for example, the hosts can apply directly to the canton for a contribution to the accommodation costs. The maximum amounts are listed on the Internet, and range from CHF 250 a month for one person to CHF 600 from five people. Here, too, a sublease agreement must be submitted.
(What happens to the rest of the money? ed)

Canton: Sustainable accommodation is important
Why does the canton make it so complicated for its host families? Silvia Bolliger cites several arguments in favour of this approach. "Our partners are the refugees, not the host families." In addition, sustainable accommodation for at least three months is important to the canton:

"If a sublease agreement is concluded, the refugees also have security. They can't just be put on the streets if there are difficulties."

There have already been 60 cases in which the canton has had to take over refugees from host families, she says, thereby confirming a report by the portal nau.ch. With the chosen approach, the canton learns when a tenancy with refugees is terminated, and can stop the payments. "So it's also about keeping costs under control."

Silvia Bolliger does not deny that the compensation via social assistance means an additional bureaucratic effort for the host families. However, she is of the opinion that this effort can be expected of the host families, because it is a voluntary commitment. (!!)

Some refugees from Ukraine have been accommodated with host families in Switzerland. How the families are financially supported varies from canton to canton.

The canton of Zug keeps statistics on those in need of protection. 251 registered Ukrainian refugees are in the canton of Zug. Of these, 112 are living in accommodation provided by the canton, and 139 are in private accommodation. The host families are compensated directly by the canton upon presentation of a sublease agreement. However, there could be other people in need of protection who are living with private individuals and have not yet registered with the federal government.

Pets are not allowed in centres
All assigned refugees can be accommodated in cantonal accommodation, explains Silvia Bolliger. This is a priority for the canton. Private accommodation "is, of course, a welcome support". For example, people with pets cannot be admitted to the cantonal centres.

For the municipalities, the accommodation of the refugees has absolute priority, and they support the canton's approach. This will ensure that the refugees can immediately apply for protection status S and thereby receive social assistance and health insurance. It is important that the type of compensation "is clearly communicated to the host families, so that they know what they can demand if they want to".