LONG-TERM HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR IDPS - A REGIONAL CHOICE

Today, on the 3d of October, a forum “Cities of Solidarity: Long-Term Housing Solutions for IDPs” is being held in Kharkiv on the initiative of the UNHCR Representation in Ukraine (UNHCR), with the participation of Ivan Parukh, First Deputy Chairman of the Fund’s Board and Kharkiv Regional Director Oleksandr Venzel.

The event is designed to develop and implement long-term housing solutions for IDPs who want to integrate into their new place of residence. The goals of the event are threefold:

1. Facilitating the exchange of experience between IDPs and local authorities on the implementation of housing programs at the regional level;

2. Increasing the number and diversity of IDPs housing programs at the regional level;

3. Development of long-term housing policy recommendations at the central level for IDPs based on local experience.

As a tool of state housing policy, the State Fund for Support of Youth Housing Construction develops and implements housing programs for citizens who need to improve their living conditions.

Thanks to the public and with the support of international organizations, we have been able to adapt a number of programs to the needs of IDPs. In particular, this category of citizens has the opportunity to participate in the Affordable Housing Program and to receive 50% compensation of the cost of housing from the state and in the share capital loan program of the Fund, internally displaced persons have the first priority right to receive a loan.

In addition, the Fund, together with state housing programs, implements 117 regional programs, of which 23 programs provide housing for internally displaced persons. In addition, projects of 4 comprehensive programs are being developed that will also provide opportunities for internally displaced persons.

In total, 324 families of internally displaced persons have taken part in our programs since 2017.

« “The housing problem nowadays is one of the most pressing social concern, especially for the internally displaced persons. And this problem cannot be solved without State participation, Which in its turn causes the development and implementation of housing programs.», - First Deputy Chairman of the Fund’s Board Ivan Parukh mentioned in his speech. - We hope that our joint efforts will make it possible to increase the number of citizens who have benefited from the support of the state tenfold. As we see housing programs are in high demand by society! Citizens need a strong government arm to address housing. We need to remember it and prioritize correctly. One of such priorities is integration of internally displaced persons into communities.»