Author
Beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine have the right to freely choose their place of residence and housing.[1] Foreigners and stateless persons may acquire real estate in Ukraine as their ownership. Refugees exercise this right if they have the ability.[2]
After being granted refugee status or complementary protection, persons who previously resided in TACs may continue living there for up to six months. After this period, if they lack the means to support themselves, they are often left to rely solely on assistance from UNHCR or communities, including fellow refugees, to secure and afford alternative housing. This precarious situation can lead many to face homelessness in the very place where they were meant to find safety and protection.[3]
Foreigners and stateless persons legally residing in the territory of Ukraine and living in residential premises are entitled to receive a housing subsidy.[4] This category includes both asylum applicants, as MSID certifies the legality of a person’s stay in Ukraine and refugees. In order to receive a housing subsidy, foreigners must submit, in particular, an ID or a refugee certificate or other documents confirming the legality of the foreigner’s stay in Ukraine.
However, in Ukraine, beneficiaries of international protection are not eligible for any support in obtaining housing. Social housing, which is free of charge, is provided only to citizens of Ukraine, refugees and asylum applicants are not entitled to such housing.[5]
The NGO “Tenth of April” reported that their beneficiary was able to access social housing once, but explained that this was only possible due to her own perseverance.
In addition, since 2021, Ukraine has been operating the YeHousing programme, which provides an opportunity to receive preferential mortgage loans in hryvnia for the purchase of housing at 3% and 7% per annum. The programme is only available to Ukrainian citizens, which means that refugees and asylum applicants are not able to access such loans.
[1] Article 15 Law on Refugees.
[2] Testimony of the ROKADA of 01 May 2024, testimony of the NGO “Tenth of April” of 14 May 2024, Testimony of the NEEKA of 10 May 2024.
[3] R2P, Ensuring access to social rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Ukraine, 2025, available here.
[4] Para. 4 Regulation on Simplification of the Procedure for Providing Subsidies to the Population for Reimbursement of Expenses for Housing and Utility Services, Purchase of Liquefied Gas, Solid and Liquid Heating Fuel of 21 October 1995 No. 848.
[5] Article 2 Law on the Social Housing Fund.