This article examines the Homes for Ukraine scheme to show that community-led welcome complements rather than replaces state-led resettlement and depends on effective multi-level governance. While the scheme mobilised unprecedented public support, central government retained control over visas, funding, and legal status, shaping its scope and limits. Local authorities played a critical role in safeguarding, housing, and integration support, but uneven capacity and the lack of a national integration strategy led to significant inconsistencies, illustrating the constraints of devolved and community action without strong, coordinated state frameworks.