Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine and the European Investment Bank Plan a Pilot Program for the Development of Social Housing in Ukraine

A team from the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, led by Denys Uliutin, held a meeting with a team from the European Investment Bank (EIB), headed by Kristina Mikulova, Head of Regional Hub for Eastern Europe at the European Investment Bank .

“Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when millions of people were forced to leave their homes, the need for social housing has increased dramatically. Our task is to make it not only accessible but also economically attractive for communities. A robust regulatory framework will ensure the sustainability of this system, and the assistance of our European partners in developing policies and legislation is invaluable,” emphasized Denys Uliutin.

The parties focused on the implementation of a future EIB and EU pilot program for the development of social housing in Ukraine, with a budget of EUR 100 million. The program will be rolled out in several regions of Ukraine, including EUR 6 million allocated for technical assistance, such as expert support, training, and consultations. Overall, the program aims to create high-quality, accessible, and financially sustainable housing for vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In EU countries, social housing is used by 20 to 40% of the population. For example, in Vienna, this figure reaches 70%. Key principles include mixed living of different social groups to avoid social isolation. This is achieved through effective management models such as municipal operators, cooperatives, or social rental agencies. A similar model operates successfully in France, ensuring stable financing for housing programs without full dependence on the state budget.

The EIB confirmed its readiness to provide technical assistance and expert support in developing legislative solutions and implementing the best EU practices for the development of Ukraine’s social housing system.

As a reminder, Ukraine already has a preferential lending program for IDPs, under which the state covers 70% of the initial down payment and 70% of monthly payments in the first year.

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