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New Housing Support Initiative in Ukraine

Overview of the Housing Voucher Program

• The Ukrainian government is launching a new support tool for individuals who have lost their homes in occupied territories, introducing a housing voucher worth up to 2 million UAH. This initiative primarily targets internally displaced persons (IDPs) from temporarily occupied areas.

• The program aims to assist specific groups, including war veterans and individuals with disabilities due to the war, ensuring they receive priority access to these vouchers.

Eligibility Criteria for Housing Vouchers

• To qualify for the housing voucher, applicants must be legally recognized as internally displaced persons (IDPs), which requires official registration of their displacement status. Their registration documents will indicate their previous address in an occupied territory.

• Two main categories are eligible: combatants and individuals with war-related disabilities. It’s important to note that "veterans" is not the correct term; eligibility focuses on active combat participants instead.

• Applicants and their family members (defined as minor children and spouses) must not own any property within government-controlled areas or have received other state-provided housing assistance or certificates related to destroyed homes. This ensures that only those truly in need can apply for the vouchers.

Implementation Timeline and Application Process

• The resolution allowing for these vouchers came into effect on November 24th, with applications opening shortly after at 2 PM on the same day through an updated application service specifically designed for IDPs. Users must navigate to this section within the app to submit their requests.

Rationale Behind Priority Distribution

• The prioritization of IDPs stems from a significant number of people affected by loss of housing—approximately 2 million residential properties remain in occupied territories according to recent studies conducted by volunteer organizations alongside European Council research efforts. Providing aid solely based on this figure would overwhelm state resources if all were assisted simultaneously. Thus, focus is placed first on those most impacted by conflict—namely soldiers and victims of war-related circumstances.

• Initial funding allocated for this program amounts to 10 billion UAH, marking a substantial governmental step towards aiding those who have suffered losses due to ongoing conflicts while also addressing broader recovery needs across affected regions over time as mechanisms improve further down the line.

Nature of Financial Assistance Provided

• Each voucher functions similarly to a payment document akin to existing housing certificates; it allows recipients access funds designated specifically for purchasing new residences within real estate markets once generated through official channels like “Diia.” Sellers will receive payments directly into their bank accounts upon successful transactions using these vouchers as currency equivalents during purchases made under this scheme rather than cash transfers alone being utilized traditionally elsewhere previously seen before now implemented here today!

Housing Voucher Program and Its Regulations

Overview of the Housing Voucher Process

• The funds from the housing voucher are transferred to the seller's account, meaning they are not in cash but rather held electronically by an account manager. This occurs when a purchase agreement is notarized.

• After notarization, the notary registers the transaction in a registry for damaged or destroyed property, which triggers payment release for the housing voucher funds.

Requirements for Eligible Housing

• The state mandates that properties purchased with these vouchers must be located in relatively safe regions of Ukraine, avoiding areas under active combat or temporarily occupied territories.

• A specific order from the Ministry of Community Development outlines all such territories where purchases cannot occur due to safety concerns. Notaries verify if properties fall within these restricted zones before certifying agreements.

Challenges for Properties on Occupied Territories

• Individuals whose properties are located in occupied territories face challenges as their homes may not be registered properly, especially if documents are old and not digitized. They can still apply for housing vouchers based on their status as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

• Registration in the state registry does not affect eligibility for housing vouchers; proof of internal displacement is sufficient to access this program without needing to verify ownership of property left behind in occupied areas.

International Compensation Mechanisms

• There exists an international compensation mechanism that allows individuals to file claims regarding destroyed or damaged property located in temporarily occupied territories without requiring verification from national registries. Categories exist for both destroyed properties and those inaccessible due to occupation.

• To submit claims, individuals need only provide copies of old ownership documents; however, they must first attempt registration with a notary or registrar who may refuse due to lack of data verification—this refusal should also be included with any claim submissions.

Document Requirements and Automation

• The system aims to automate processes related to document submission and verification through digital platforms like "Diia." Initially, there may be technical issues as new services launch, but overall information should sync across various registries seamlessly. IDP status registration is crucial before submitting applications through this platform.

• Applicants will need to provide personal information about family members and ensure it aligns with civil status records; discrepancies may require additional verification steps through local authorities if records aren't digitized yet. Consent for processing personal data will also be necessary from adult family members involved in applications.

Housing Voucher Process Overview

Verification and Eligibility for Housing Vouchers

• The commission will verify housing information through the State Register of Property Rights. If neither the applicant nor their family members have housing in controlled territories, a positive decision on receiving a housing voucher is likely.

Timeline for Receiving Housing Certificates

• After submitting an application, the commission has 30 days to make a decision regarding the housing voucher, as stipulated by government resolution 1176.

Utilizing Housing Certificates

• Once generated, individuals can utilize their housing certificates within five years after finding suitable accommodation. However, funds must be reserved before use.

Fund Reservation and Time Constraints

• After reserving funds, they must be used within 60 days. This requires applicants to submit a request for fund reservation and find housing promptly.

Application Process Insights

• Individuals do not need to approach the state directly; instead, they should work with notaries like typical buyers. The process allows flexibility in whether to reserve funds first or search for housing first.

Challenges in Finding Suitable Housing

Balancing Search and Fund Reservation

• Applicants are advised to balance searching for housing while reserving funds quickly to avoid losing their reservation if not utilized within 60 days.

Market Understanding Before Searching

• It’s essential for applicants to understand market conditions beforehand—knowing potential costs and areas can aid in making informed decisions when searching for homes.

Concerns About Budget Availability

• There may be concerns about vouchers being issued beyond available budgetary resources due to previous funding shortages experienced under similar programs.

Funding Sources for Housing Vouchers

Clarifying Funding Origins

• Funds come from various sources including state budgets and international grants. Specific details on which funds will support this new program remain unconfirmed publicly.

Financial Projections

• An estimated budget of 10 billion UAH has been allocated for next year’s program, potentially covering around 5,000 applications based on average voucher amounts.

Application Approval Dynamics

Anticipating Application Outcomes

• Not all submitted applications will be approved; some may fail verification criteria. Thus, actual funding needs may differ from initial projections based on application volume versus approval rates.

How to Apply for Housing Assistance in Ukraine?

Overview of the Application Process

• The service has just opened, and there are 300 applications already submitted. This initial phase indicates a high demand, allowing the government to gauge the number of applicants in this category.

• Currently, only the application submission process is active; local commissions have yet to be formed. Time will be needed for local authorities to establish these commissions and approve necessary internal documents.

• Predictions suggest that the first housing assistance payments or vouchers may be generated by March 26, 2024. The government resolution stipulates a four-month period for technical implementation of this initiative.

• During these four months, applications will be processed and decisions made regarding eligibility and assistance.

Key Insights from Olga Onishchuk

• Olga Onishchuk, founder of the volunteer project "Return What’s Yours" and former Deputy Minister of Justice (2019-2021), provided insights on obtaining a certificate worth 2 million UAH for purchasing new housing. Her expertise aims to assist those awaiting this crucial news about housing support.