How the social housing model will work in Ukraine

What will change with the adoption of the draft Law of Ukraine “On Social Housing”, who will be able to use such housing and how the state and communities will manage it — we explain in a series of articles on the future social housing system.

How social housing will be created and who will be responsible for its maintenance

Housing included in the relevant list receives social housing status. This may be:

• a residential building or part of one;
• an apartment;
• a residential room in a dormitory.

Social housing will have a special legal status. It cannot be privatised, have its designated purpose changed or be transferred from state or municipal ownership to private owners. The designated purpose of the land on which it stands cannot be changed either.

Ways to create social housing:

1. Build new housing.
2. Reconstruct residential and non-residential buildings and adapt them for housing.
3. Purchase completed housing in completed buildings.
4. Use housing belonging to other owners under an agreement.

A community will be able to purchase housing only after assessing the actual need for social housing in the town or settlement and holding public hearings.

When a community includes a property on the social housing list, information will also be recorded about the housing itself, its owner, landlord and operator, the condition of the housing and its facilities, and the grounds for its inclusion on the list. This information will be public.

Social housing will be maintained, operated and managed by its owner, an authorised state or community body, or a social housing operator. The owner or operator of a residential building or dormitory will also be able to lease non-residential premises in such buildings. An important principle is that the funds must remain within the social housing system.

For state and municipal property, such leases will be awarded through an electronic auction.

Who will be responsible for what in social housing — the state, regions and communities? Read more about the division of responsibilities under the draft law “On Social Housing” here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F6AbQQvJC/

The draft law was developed with expert support from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe and the World Bank. The experience and proposals of international partners, communities and experts were also taken into account.

The next step is to submit the draft law to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration.

Creating a social housing system is one of Ukraine’s commitments under the Ukraine Facility and a significant part of the housing reform taking place amid recovery and European integration.