The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new mechanism that enables communities to receive state funding for the purchase of housing in rural areas for the temporary accommodation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The procedure requires the mandatory involvement of IDP Councils in the implementation of the project, particularly during the stages of identifying and assessing housing options, ensuring that the needs of displaced people are taken into account in decision-making.
Housing Monitoring and Price Approval
The process begins with a joint search for suitable houses involving internally displaced persons, local residents, IDP Councils, and volunteers. As a result, IDP Councils will participate in identifying and preliminarily approving properties that may be purchased for the temporary accommodation of IDPs. Importantly, the selection of properties is not limited to a single community – houses may be purchased in a neighboring district or even in another region of Ukraine.
Special temporary inspection commissions will be established under local executive authorities to determine whether a house meets the minimum quality standards and is suitable for residential use. The procedure requires the mandatory inclusion of IDP Council representatives in these temporary housing inspection commissions.
Each temporary commission must consist of at least seven members.
By involving advisory and consultative bodies in the implementation of this pilot housing purchase project, the mechanism promotes transparency and provides additional quality control over the houses being acquired.
Requirements for Temporary Housing
The government initiative clearly defines which properties cannot be purchased using state subvention funds. These include housing that:
- requires major repairs or reconstruction;
- is not connected to electricity networks or lacks centralized or individual heating;
- does not have documented calculations confirming that the housing can be maintained for the next three years using local budget funds and/or other sources permitted by law.
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.