Policy Shift in Poland Forces Ukrainian Woman with Disability from Social Housing

Viktoriia's Plight in Poland

According to Главком: Viktoriia, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, has been evicted from a social care home in Poland due to a recent change in the law. The new regulations, which came into force on March 5, 2024, resulted in her relocation to a homeless shelter in Jarosław. She originally fled to Poland from Rohan in the Kharkiv region in March 2022. Her journey has been marked by profound hardship, including the loss of her father to brain cancer in 2024 and suffering a stroke that left her with quadriplegia.

After four months of rehabilitation at a social care home in Krosno, Viktoriia regained the ability to sit in a wheelchair, eat, and speak. However, the legislative amendments rendered her continued stay in the social center untenable. Staff informed her that the local community could no longer cover her costs, and she learned of her impending eviction just days before the new rules took effect.

“She cried for two nights. What happened to her is inhumane,” noted the facility's workers.

Ongoing Challenges for Ukrainian Refugees

Viktoriia now lives in a five-person room at the homeless shelter. She has expressed a strong desire to return to Krosno, where she underwent rehabilitation and where her mother lives, whom she wishes to see again.

“There, in Krosno, I had my own room, I had rehabilitation. Here, I keep my things under the bed. I would like to go back to Krosno,” Viktoriia shared.

The Polish government has also announced the closure of social shelters for Ukrainians by June 2024. A critical point is that in Poland, access to housing support for people with disabilities typically requires a Polish disability certificate. This situation is causing significant anxiety among Ukrainian refugees who find themselves in precarious circumstances. These policy changes come as Poland, which initially welcomed millions of refugees, is adjusting its long-term support framework.

In a separate but related incident, news emerged from Poznań about a woman detained for attacking two Ukrainian citizens. This event underscores the social tensions that can arise in the context of large-scale migration and integration challenges.

Viktoriia's eviction and transfer to a homeless shelter highlight the difficult reality facing many Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The legislative changes phasing out social shelters threaten to create further hardship for individuals who have already endured trauma and loss. It is now crucial for Polish authorities to consider avenues for continued support and societal integration to prevent similar cases in the future.

The recent changes in Poland's housing policies have significant implications for many Ukrainian refugees, particularly those with disabilities. As highlighted in a related article, new regulations may lead to loss of free housing for numerous individuals after March 5, 2026. Understanding these developments is crucial for vulnerable populations like Viktoriia, who are facing uncertain futures due to legislative shifts.