Ukraine’s new housing policy: what’s changing and why it matters

In Ukraine, most housing programmes were developed decades ago and are based on waiting-list systems that no longer respond to current demographic changes, large-scale internal displacement, or the extensive destruction of housing caused by the war. As a result, despite broad eligibility for housing assistance - particularly for families with children—actual access to housing remains extremely limited.

As of 1 January 2015, more than 657,000 Ukrainian families were registered as needing improved housing conditions or were participating in shared-equity housing construction schemes. According to experts, the existing legislative and regulatory framework does not provide adequate legal mechanisms for the implementation of the constitutional right to housing, especially for socially vulnerable groups, for whom the state guarantees the provision of housing free of charge or at an affordable cost.

In order to reform this area, on 13 January 2026 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the draft Law “On the Basic Principles of Housing Policy.” The document is currently being prepared for signature, and only after its signing can the official introduction of a new housing policy be discussed.

The draft law provides, inter alia, that housing from the state housing stock and the housing stock of territorial communities will be provided on a rental basis with a specific purpose—as social housing or service housing. The level of rent will be calculated according to a formula and will depend on household income and the number of family members.

In addition, the draft law introduces financial and credit mechanisms enabling citizens to acquire housing ownership with state support. At the same time, restrictions are envisaged on the sale or other forms of alienation of housing acquired through state-supported loans, in order to prevent fraud and ensure the efficient use of budgetary funds.

The draft also envisages the establishment of a Unified Information and Analytical Housing System—a public electronic register that will contain data on Ukraine’s housing stock as well as on persons eligible to benefit from state support in exercising their right to housing.

At the same time, the draft law stipulates that servicepersons will keep the right to receive housing from the state in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families.”

This information material has been produced as part of a project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) with funding from the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the DRC. Neither the European Commission nor the DRC can be held responsible for the content of this material.