In Drohobych, work on setting up a supported living unit has entered the final stage. It will become a new element in the community’s system of social services. The space is being created in a building at 81/1 Kozlovskoho Street, where residents in need of ongoing support will be accommodated.
The unit will operate as a structural subdivision of the Drohobych Municipal Territorial Centre of Social Services (provision of social services). Older people and persons with disabilities registered with the territorial centre, as well as representatives of the relevant categories of internally displaced persons, will be able to live here either temporarily or on a long-term basis.
The project is being supported financially and organisationally by the International Charity Fund “Carpathian Region” NEEKA in cooperation with international partners. The progress of the works at the site was recently inspected by Christian Langehenke, Senior Field Officer at the UNHCR Representation in Ukraine, and Andriy Bezpaliuk, Durable Solutions Associate at the UNHCR Representation Field Office in Lviv. They were accompanied by Yurii Kushlyk, Deputy Mayor for Humanitarian and Social Affairs, and Maria Liutyk, Director of the Territorial Centre.
Representatives of international organisations were shown the work already completed and briefed on what is needed to finish the project. The building’s roof has been repaired, the windows replaced, and the heating system and essential utilities installed. The interior is almost ready: living rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen area and a laundry room have been fitted out, and the main finishing works have been carried out.
Particular attention is being paid to accessibility. The premises have been adapted to the needs of people with disabilities: specialised bathrooms have been provided, a lift has been installed, and convenient access to the main areas has been carefully planned. Landscaping of the surrounding area is being carried out in parallel.
During the visit, the parties discussed in particular the need for furniture, household appliances and other equipment required for the full launch of the unit and the move-in of the first residents.
The supported living unit will be able to accommodate up to 12 people for whom, following an assessment of individual needs, this social service will be recommended. Once all works have been completed and the premises fully equipped, the plan is to ensure safe, comfortable living conditions and ongoing professional support for older people and persons with disabilities.
The Drohobych community emphasises that the creation of this unit is an important step towards developing an accessible and barrier-free social support system for residents most in need of care and assistance.