ALMOST 500 DISPLACED PERSONS FROM MARIUPOL TO RECEIVE MODERN SOCIAL HOUSING IN DNIPRO
Dnipro has completed large-scale renovation work on modern social housing for displaced families from Mariupol. Thanks to the project “YaMariupol.Zhyttlo” by Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko, 192 comfortable studio apartments have been created to accommodate almost 500 residents. The first families have already received the relevant certificates.
The event was attended by Ambassador of France to Ukraine Gael Veyer, Deputy Representative of the International Organization for Migration in Ukraine David Womble, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko, Dnipro Mayor Boris Filatov, Deputy Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration Igor Boyko, Deputy Head of Dnipropetrovs'k Regional State Administration Nadiia Zadorozhna, Acting Deputy Director of the Department for Internally Displaced Persons and Victims of Armed Aggression of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Alla Bila.
The social housing is located on Lazaryan Street. It consists of five 4-storey buildings with studio apartments equipped with necessary furniture and household appliances. The area around the building has been landscaped and playgrounds have been installed, creating a complete and comfortable living environment. The premises for the project were provided by the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology.
Housing remains the number one problem for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine. According to the all-Ukrainian sociological survey “Current Problems of IDPs”, 97% of IDPs do not have their own housing, as it is either destroyed or located in the occupied territory. At the same time, 67% of IDPs spend more than 50% of their family income on rent.
This social housing project, the third to be implemented with the support of the French Government, is an example of how Ukraine cares about those who have lost everything. Our philosophy was that the focus should be on the person around whom the social infrastructure, from sports grounds to children's rooms, is created. Such social housing is able to preserve Ukraine's most valuable treasure - its people. This inspires the world to unite with Ukraine to restore and preserve human potential. We are currently working together with the Ministry of Communities and Territories Restoration of Ukraine to create additional opportunities for Mariupol residents so that as many people who have lost their homes as possible can have decent living conditions. This way we will create conditions for the return and development of Ukrainians at home
The Government of France is one of the key partners of the “I Mariupol.Zhyttia” project. French Ambassador to Ukraine Gael Weissier praised the results of cooperation:
France has supported the funding of this project from the beginning. In total, almost 6 million euros have been allocated. This is the third phase of the project to be opened, the first was in 2023. It is estimated that about 1300 people will be able to benefit from social housing under this project. In our opinion, this is a very important and significant initiative
The new social housing has all the conditions for a comfortable stay: lounges for children and adults, coworking space, sports space, shared kitchens and laundry facilities. The smart apartments are designed for Mariupol residents who need housing assistance the most. These include families of military personnel, prisoners of war, people released from captivity, families with people with disabilities, people of retirement age, large families and other categories.
The social housing works were carried out thanks to the significant support of international partners. In particular, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) played a key role.
This project clearly demonstrates how powerful cooperation between international partners and local communities can be. By joining forces, we are helping families who were forced to flee their homes to regain a sense of stability and home.
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine is among the project partners.
I thank all partners for implementing this powerful and large-scale project. This is a project about caring and how, in such a difficult time, we can join forces and help those who really need it.
I am proud that Dnipro was the first city to come to the aid of Mariupol after the war started. The first “YaMariupol” center was opened here. Our hero drivers evacuated IDPs from Mariupol. And we continued to follow this path, helping Mariupol as much as we could. Because Dnipro has never been and will never be left behind. Organizationally, administratively and financially. This is our debt to the people of Mariupol. After all, they are our dear Dnipro residents too
A number of Ukrainian and international partners, including the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other organizations, have joined forces to create social housing for the displaced in Mariupol.
Mariupol families will move into the new social housing in stages. According to them, such support will significantly help them to get back on their feet and enable them to build a new life, having a solid base to start from.
The social housing project is being implemented by the Mariupol City Council with financial support from the French government, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration, in coordination with the Government of Ukraine and the Donetsk Regional Military Administration. The project is also supported by Proliska, UNHCR, Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Grohe. The initiative has already created four social housing facilities for Mariupol residents in Kyiv and Dnipro, providing modern and high-quality housing for 476 families.
