A new mechanism to provide housing for internally displaced persons in rural areas has been launched in Ukraine. By Resolution No. 751 of 10 June 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has introduced a two-year pilot project that provides for the purchase of residential houses in villages and settlements for subsequent free use by displaced persons.
Instead of accommodating people in temporary modular towns, the state and local communities will buy ready-built houses, which will be handed over to IDPs for living. The acquired properties are registered as the community’s ownership as municipal property, while displaced persons use them under an agreement for a period of up to three years.
The right to housing is granted to internally displaced persons who have left areas of hostilities or temporarily occupied territories for which no date has been set for the end of hostilities or occupation. They and the members of their household must simultaneously meet the following conditions: not own housing in territories where there are no hostilities or occupation, or own housing that has been destroyed or damaged to a state unfit for habitation, as confirmed by the entry of data in the State Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property or by the relevant inspection reports; not receive compensation for destroyed housing and not have a decision on its provision; not have a housing voucher introduced by Cabinet Resolution No. 1176 of 22 September 2025.
There is another condition: within six months prior to submitting the application, none of the household members must have purchased a land plot worth more than UAH 100,000 or a vehicle less than five years old, with the exception of certain specified categories (mopeds, inexpensive motorbikes, cars for persons with disabilities, vehicles that have been destroyed or stolen, as well as vehicles for family-type children’s homes and large families).
The procedure for participating in the programme consists of several stages. First, the executive bodies of village, settlement and city councils or military administrations, together with potential users and with the participation of state bodies, public and charitable organisations, IDP advisory councils and volunteers, search for suitable housing, preliminarily agree its price and the possibility of purchase with the owner.
Within three calendar days after agreeing the price, the displaced person submits an application in any form to the local self-government body or military administration for the provision of housing in a rural area. The application must be accompanied by documents proving the identity of the applicant and household members, IDP certificates (if available), documents confirming family ties, the taxpayer’s registration number, as well as copies of documents confirming compliance with the programme criteria. A separate notification is submitted on the availability or absence of housing outside the areas of hostilities, or on destroyed/damaged housing confirmed by the register or inspection reports. If people without family ties plan to live together in the dwelling, their written consent is required.
After that, the executive body sets up a temporary commission to inspect the house. The commission checks whether the housing meets the minimum consumer quality requirements and draws up a report. On the basis of this document, the local council or military administration agrees the final price with the owner, decides on the purchase and, within three days, makes payment from the local or state budget and/or other sources not prohibited by law.
Up to UAH 500,000 may be allocated from the budget for the purchase of one house, including all taxes and fees related to the registration of ownership. If the cost of the housing is higher, the difference may be covered from other sources on a co-financing basis.
No later than five calendar days after the house is registered as community property, an agreement on free use of housing in a rural area is concluded with the displaced person. The agreement is valid for up to three years and is the basis for moving in and registering the place of residence of the user and members of their household.
IDPs must move into the house within 60 days from the date of signing the agreement, and register their place of residence within 30 days. The terms stipulate that the agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of the parties or early, in particular in the event of the provision of other housing, loss of compliance with the criteria, failure to notify of changes in property status or household composition, prolonged arrears in utility payments, breach of the rules for using the housing, letting it for rent or subletting, intentional damage to property, or the death of the user without confirmation of another household member’s right to the housing.
In the event of the user’s death, the agreement may be re-concluded with a member of their household if they confirm their right to receive housing in a rural area within 30 calendar days.