Ukraine considers introducing a system of social rental housing

The Ukrainian government is considering introducing a system of social rental housing to address the housing needs of internally displaced persons and other categories of citizens in need of state support. This was reported by Olena Shulyak, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, who is the head of the Servant of the People party.

The essence of the social lease mechanism is to set the rent below the market rate, and the received rent payments will be directed to a special fund, which will be used to finance the construction of new social housing.

The main role in this scheme is assigned to territorial communities, which will rent social housing at reduced rates.

Shulyak noted that in order to introduce a social rental system in Ukraine, it is necessary to use the existing experience of the European Union and to create appropriate legislation. Funding for the formation of a social housing stock can be provided, in particular, by Russia's seized assets abroad, property of Russian and Belarusian citizens, as well as with the participation of international funds and organizations.

In addition, funds from international technical assistance and development agencies can be raised.

The first pilot projects to launch social leasing mechanisms have already been implemented, including the Housing project in Lviv region with the support of the German government.