As of 2024, over 3.5 million people remain displaced, while 4.5 million have attempted to return to their homes, only to find them either uninhabitable or lost forever (IOM, 2024). The housing sector has been among the hardest hit, with over 2 million homes either damaged or destroyed, representing 10% of the country’s total housing stock (Cedos, 2024).
This crisis is not only seen in the loss of structures, but in the millions left struggling to find stability, security, and a place to rebuild their lives. The war has disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Women-led households have faced increased risks of economic hardship and gender-based violence, while many elderly individuals, who are less mobile, have been unable to relocate and remain in damaged, unsafe homes.
Furthermore, children’s education and well-being have been severely disrupted, as many families struggle to find stable living conditions amid ongoing displacement and housing shortages. The war has more than simply demolished homes; it has reshaped the way Ukrainians live.
Homeownership, which once stood at 95% in 2021, dropped to 79% in 2024, reflecting a dramatic increase in rental housing. However, affordability remains a challenge, with 31% of renters spending more than 70% of their household income on housing (IOM, 2024). Rental costs have skyrocketed, making it even harder for families to afford shelter. Evictions are also a growing concern, with 37% of internally displaced persons (IDPs) lacking legal documents for their current housing, making them vulnerable to displacement (IOM, 2024).
From the onset of the war, Habitat for Humanity (HFHI) has responded to the urgent need for housing and stability by creating pathways to permanent, dignified housing for displaced and war-affected families. Drawing on decades of experience in the European region, the organization has fostered partnerships with governments, local organizations, and international agencies to address the urgent housing needs of the most vulnerable displaced and non-displaced population.
- Provided essential winterization support to 1,082 vulnerable individuals in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
- Provided non-food items to collective centres for 2,533 displaced individuals in the western region hosting large numbers of displaced women with children and the elderly.
- Continued to work with the Odessa Housing Union. This has included upscaling the successful program of energy efficiency modernization in multi-apartment buildings (MABs), which has resulted in 1,178 households benefiting from better heating efficiency, reduced energy costs, and improved overall comfort.
- Initiated a pilot project for longer-term rental housing for vulnerable IDPs with our Ukrainian Partner METALAB. The pilot aims to refurbish a vacant municipal building into affordable and safe rental apartments for 150 vulnerable internally-displaced persons. The housing initiative provides barrier free apartments for families with a member with a disability, communal and child-friendly spaces, and individual, long-term and dignified housing for these displaced families.
- Provided technical expertise to the Ministerial Working Group on Housing Policy Review, advocating for inclusive, affordable, and decent housing, and influencing more equitable housing practices that include vulnerable groups in sustainable housing solutions.
With its global experience in affordable housing, post-war reconstruction, and housing finance, HFHI established its office in Ukraine in 2023 and has outlined a strategy for Ukraine from 2025 to 2030, ensuring that housing recovery efforts are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
The strategy is built on three interconnected pillars:
1) Building More and Better Homes
2) Transforming the Housing System
3) Inspiring Action for Housing
In the short term, transitional housing programs are providing rapid solutions for displaced families, while home repair initiatives are making partially damaged buildings habitable. Host family support programs – providing financial aid to those sheltering IDPs – are helping to stabilize communities overwhelmed by displacement.
But beyond temporary solutions, HFHI’s real contribution will be in rebuilding Ukraine’s housing sector sustainably. Through community-driven rehabilitation programs, families will receive technical guidance and financial assistance to restore their war-damaged homes. These projects will also repair multi-family apartment buildings and housing cooperatives, ensuring that the most affected communities are not left behind.
HFHI’s expertise in affordable housing finance will expand social housing stock, create rent-to-own programs, and develop micro-loans for home repairs. Working with Ukrainian banks, municipalities, and international donors, HFHI will establish housing credit schemes that made homeownership and long-term rentals attainable for displaced families and low-income households.
To build local ownership and capacity, HFHI has chosen to be a partner-led organization. By working through local governments, civil society groups, and the private sector, we aim to scale our impact by leveraging existing housing initiatives, ensuring sustainability through market-driven housing solutions, and enhancing policy advocacy by collaborating with state actors on housing legislation reforms. HFHI aims to support the government in developing clear strategies for social housing expansion, urban planning reforms, and fair land allocation for housing projects. Additionally, we will push for legal protection for IDPs and returnees, ensuring their rights to property and fair rental conditions.
While the war has exposed the vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s housing system, it has also pushed forward long-overdue reforms. Rebuilding an entire housing sector in a war-torn country requires more than money; it requires commitment, coordination, and long-term vision. But as reconstruction efforts gain momentum, Ukraine’s cities – once reduced to rubble – can emerge stronger and more resilient in the future.
By working in partnership with local and international stakeholders, Habitat for Humanity is not only restoring homes but restoring hope, dignity, and a future in which every Ukrainian has a place to call home.
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