Ukraine introduces new housing rental subsidy for IDPs

A new mechanism to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been launched in Ukraine since January 29 – a housing rental subsidy. This mechanism was developed to alleviate the financial situation of families who are most in need of assistance after being forced to leave their homes due to the war.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the new housing rental subsidy will be provided by analogy with housing subsidies and will be intended for those families who lost their own housing as a result of Russian aggression and occupation. Such assistance will be used to cover rental costs, which often exceed the capabilities of the displaced.

An important point is that IDPs will be able to simultaneously receive both a housing subsidy and a housing rental subsidy. This will relieve the additional burden on families experiencing a difficult period of adaptation to new conditions.

Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych emphasized that the housing rental subsidy will be provided only if there is an official rental agreement, which will clearly define the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord. This will protect displaced persons from unjustified evictions, as well as a guarantee that landlords will receive rent and utility payments on time.

The housing rental subsidy will be available to internally displaced persons who:

1. Live in territories affected by hostilities or in occupied territories.
2. Have destroyed or uninhabitable housing.
3. Have no other housing in the territory controlled by Ukraine.
4. Pay more than 20% of their total income for housing rental.

It is important to note that subsidies can only be obtained under official rental agreements, and the tenant and landlord must not be relatives. In addition, tenants do not receive additional assistance for IDPs, and landlords do not receive compensation under the Shelter program.

The amount of the rental subsidy will be calculated individually for each family based on the average income per person and the cost of rent in a specific region. The Ministry of Social Policy indicates that such a system will allow for a fair distribution of financial assistance and effective support for IDPs during this difficult period.