Reflections on Hosting by Host & Guest
November 14, 2025
When People Open Their Doors, They Open Possibilities
Through Housing Justice Cymru’s Hosting Project, individuals in Cardiff and Newport open their homes to refugees and people seeking sanctuary who are facing rough sleeping. Behind every placement is a story of courage, kindness, and connection.
This is the story of Anna and Zukie, a host who chose to welcome someone in, and a guest who found home and hope in a stranger’s kindness.
Anna’s Reflections on Hosting
Anna first heard about the Hosting Project through a neighbour who was a trustee for Housing Justice. “She was explaining the project to me, and I thought it sounded quite interesting,” Anna said. “One of the things that drew me to offering sanctuary to refugees was that my dad was a refugee. He came to the UK just after the Second World War, and a lot of his story moved me. I just felt it was a way to make a difference.”
For Anna, the motivation to host was simple but deeply human. “I can’t think of anything worse than not having a roof over your head, somewhere safe to sleep, somewhere safe to stay,” she said. “I’ve got a big house and a spare room, and I don’t have any children or dependents, so it felt like I was in a good position to offer that.”
Over time, Anna has hosted several women through the project. “They’ve all been so respectful of my space and my house,” she reflected. “They’ve been very polite, they’ve always wanted to cook for me, they’ve wanted to clean. What I’ve learned is how important food is to everyone, to be able to prepare meals you’ve grown up with, to have something familiar. Sitting down over a meal gives structure to the day and opens space for connection.”
Her most recent guest stood out for her strength and determination. “She wasn’t a typical asylum seeker but became mixed up in the immigration system and suddenly found herself homeless after years of stability. Watching her cope with that radical change was humbling. Her resilience amazed me – to go from despair to still laugh at things and keep going. The human spirit never ceases to amaze me.”
Anna’s approach to hosting is relaxed and trusting. “I’m quite laid back and not particularly house proud,” she laughed. “I just tell people to make themselves at home. I let them set their own routine and pace, but I make sure I’m around and we check in. Sharing food, chatting at the end of the day, that’s how the relationship develops.”
Hosting has also opened Anna’s eyes to different cultures and beliefs. “All my guests have had really strong religious faith,” she said. “That’s been an eye opener for me – I’m agnostic, but seeing how much faith sustains people through hardship has given me more respect for it. It’s something we don’t talk about much in this country, but it’s so important to the human spirit.”
For Anna, the most rewarding part of hosting is simple: “It’s that feeling that I’m making a difference to someone, even if it’s just giving them a bit of respite. Doing good feels good. I can’t think of anything worse than not having a roof over your head, and I feel privileged to be able to help.”
She’s grateful, too, for the support from Housing Justice Cymru. “Just knowing that they’re at the end of the phone makes such a difference. I can always text or call if I’m unsure or need advice. I never feel like I’m doing it all on my own.”
When her guests move on, it’s always emotional. “It’s like watching a baby bird take flight,” she said. “I’m glad for them, but I always feel protective too. You don’t expect to miss them, but you do.”
Reflecting on what hosting has meant to her, Anna smiled. “It’s rewarding and enriching and eye-opening in a good way. It gets me out of my bubble, and that’s always life-affirming.”
Zukie’s Reflections on Hosting
Before arriving at Anna’s home, Zukie had been through an ordeal that began with a simple move. “Before I came to Housing Justice, I was homeless,” she explained. “I’d been in a hotel in Exeter for four weeks and was told I was being transferred to Cardiff for long-term accommodation. But when I arrived, I had a severe allergic reaction to smoke and mould in the property. I ended up in hospital overnight, and when I was discharged, I had nowhere to go.”
For several nights, Zukie slept in an empty building. Eventually, she was referred by the council to Migrant Help, British Red Cross, and Oasis who then contacted Housing Justice Cymru. “That’s how I stopped being street homeless,” she said.
When told she’d be staying with a host, she was nervous. “I was worried, but desperate. I remember saying, can’t I just stay at Oasis? But they said, you deserve to have a proper wash and a proper sleep. I was worried about Hosting at first”
Zukie’s fears disappeared the moment she met Anna. “It was amazing,” she said, smiling. “We clicked immediately, even before she opened the door. She was so friendly, it was like she was welcoming an old friend. She made me feel at home straight away.”
The bond between them grew naturally. “I’m talkative, she’s not, but she’s such a good listener. We trusted each other quickly. Someone leaving their house to a stranger was so admirable to me. I never thought I’d get hospitality like this.”
Zukie describes her stay as overwhelmingly positive. “It was exciting and homely. The only challenge was in my own mind, worrying that I was a burden because my situation wasn’t changing. But Anna noticed when I was low, and she always checked in. I love cooking and baking – it’s part of my family lifestyle. It was a nice thing to share with Anna, but there was no expectation to cook for her. She loved my food, and that warmed me up.”
For Zukie, the experience was life-changing. “Housing Justice was my saviour at a time of desperate need. I’d never been to Wales before and suddenly I was destitute again. They didn’t just find me a host, they cared about me. They called to ask how I was, offered practical help and reassurance. It taught me that help can come from anywhere, and that it’s okay to trust others.”
She reflected, too, about the power of gratitude and mutual respect. “As someone being shown kindness, you have to prepare yourself: be truthful, respectful, help however you can. Keep the house clean, share meals. Anna’s place was a home for me.”
When she moved on from Hosting, Zukie said “Housing Justice and my host showed true duty to care. They even helped clean the temporary accommodation I was moving into to make it safe for my allergies. These community-based charities are the unsung heroes. Without Oasis, Housing Justice and others, I would have perished.”
Her words carry a plea for support: “I wish publicity and awareness of charities like these could be widespread. Every financial contribution, every bit of support makes a massive difference. Homelessness is becoming a pandemic, but these organisations are on the frontline. The hosts who open their doors to strangers show kindness beyond belief.”
When asked to sum up her experience, Zukie didn’t hesitate:
“Love, kindness, lifesaving and compassionate – that’s what Housing Justice Cymru is to people in disaster.”
Finding Home and Belonging
What began as a two-night emergency stay became three months of shared meals, laughter, and learning. For Zukie, it meant safety and dignity. For Anna, it meant discovering the beauty of shared humanity.
Together, they remind us that home isn’t just a place — it’s people who care.
If you’d like to find out more or become a host, please email [email protected] and help make sure no one seeking sanctuary in Wales has to face homelessness.
To make a donation to this project, helping to provide a weekly payment to guests who have no other income, please visit: Housing Justice Wales Destitution Fund – JustGiving
