The Maidenhead rabbi who co-founded the Open Arms charity to help house Ukrainian refugees fears the cost-of-living crisis is forcing host families to curtail their support.

Issuing a renewed plea to the Jewish community this week, Rabbi Jonathan Romain said: “My worry is that those who we have done so well to save from Putin’s missiles will now find themselves homeless yet again, or even be forced to risk going back to Ukraine.”

He told the JC that members of his own congregation who had taken in refugees could not continue the arrangement because of economic considerations.

They include Dave and Sylvia, who have hosted a Ukrainian woman and her ten-year-old daughter since April.

“We are so sad to have to let them go,” they said. “But our own financial situation means that we have to say goodbye to them now that the six months we promised to host them for is coming to an end.”

Another Maidenhead congregant, Ron, who works in the leisure industry, said he “feels bad” about no longer being able to host a man allowed to leave Ukraine because he was too old to serve in the army. Ron pointed out that since he offered hospitality, the economic situation had worsened.

“I’ve fulfilled my pledge of six months and feel I can say I’ve done my bit. I hope others who have not done so can now help him. It’s a bit like pub drinks — I did the first round, now it’s someone else’s turn.”

Rabbi Romain explained that “the original hosting scheme required hosts to house a refugee for a minimum of six months. There is no problem if people wish to extend it. The £350-a-month expenses that the government provides the hosts for extra costs will continue, both for existing hosts and for any new ones.”

But he acknowledged that “spiralling energy costs are making many people think of how they can cut back on expenses, which makes existing hosts more inclined to end their arrangement once the minimum period of six months is up.”

And financial worries were discouraging potential hosts.

“I know it’s tough economically in the UK right now,” Rabbi Romain said. “But we need to consider this hardship as part of our war effort and use our homes to fight back with kindness.”

A World Jewish Relief spokesperson noted that the UK Jewish community “has been incredibly generous to Ukrainians” through the hosting scheme. But the cost-of-living crisis was “concerning for many households.

“We are grateful to those who have offered to host, or are already hosting Ukrainians. But we also appreciate that for some this is not an option.”

Former refugees minister Lord Harrington has urged the government to double the £350 monthly payment to host families.

A recent Office for National Statistics survey found that a quarter of those who had joined the Homes for Ukraine scheme wished to end their host status after six months.

Four in ten said they would consider hosting for longer if offered increased financial support.