Government Denies Rumors of Property Seizure for Displaced Persons

Government Rejects Claims of Seizing Private Homes for IDPs

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Ukrainian government has firmly denied widespread rumors suggesting it might confiscate private apartments to house internally displaced persons (IDPs). Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, clarified that a large-scale housing audit will focus exclusively on empty state-owned and municipal buildings. This initiative is being implemented under Law No. 4080 in cooperation with the international organization Habitat for Humanity.

Scope and Goals of the Pilot Project

A pilot project will launch in three regions: Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava. The audit is expected to survey 60-70 state and municipally owned buildings. From these, 10-15 will be selected for detailed investment decisions. Oleksii Kuleba emphasized that the project's goal is to create a digital housing allocation system for IDPs, with a planned launch in October 2026. This effort addresses a critical need, as millions of Ukrainians have been displaced since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The Vice Prime Minister acknowledged that many citizens have expressed concerns regarding housing for IDPs and other vulnerable groups. He stressed:

'This does not concern private housing. There are no decisions, nor can there be any, regarding seizure or interference with private property.' Oleksii Kuleba

Oleksii Kuleba further added that 'our approach is simple: if a community has a state or municipal building standing empty, it should work for the people.' Thus, the government aims to provide housing for those in need without infringing on private property rights.

This government initiative highlights a commitment to solving the housing crisis for internally displaced persons, a pressing issue amid ongoing war and socio-economic instability in Ukraine. It is significant that officials are seeking to reassure the public that private homeowners' rights will remain protected. The planned digital housing distribution system could represent a major step toward ensuring transparency and efficiency in providing accommodation for vulnerable populations.