Kharkiv City Municipal Housing Program
In collaboration with UNECE and with the financial support of the German government, Kharkiv has embarked on a first-of-its-kind effort to ensure housing is within reach for every citizen.
On January 30, 2024, Mayor of Kharkiv, Mr. Ihor Terekhov, was joined by Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe (IWO e.V.), to initiate the development of the Municipal Housing Program. As part of the broader UN4Ukrainian Cities project, the initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
“Launching a Municipal Housing Program in Kharkiv holds immense significance for us, especially as our city has endured extensive damage. We aim to tailor this program to fit our unique Ukrainian context. It stands as the inaugural program of its kind in Ukraine, specifically designed to cater to our city’s needs.”
The program aims to benefit both Kharkiv's residents and internally displaced populations in Ukraine. Knut Höller, Executive Board Member of IWO e.V., said that "the program focuses on a one-year timeline to realize our goals through robust collaboration with local authorities and partners, including European banks. We aim to ensure the Municipal Housing Program is feasible and accessible. A key priority is addressing the needs of those in Kharkiv who may find purchasing or mortgaging a home out of reach. Our collaborative efforts aim to devise strategies that make housing attainable for all, particularly for the economically disadvantaged."
Drawing inspiration from a similar initiative implemented in Germany, experts believe that adopting this Municipal Housing Program will help set a precedent for effectively addressing other such housing challenges. In detailing his vision, Mayor Terekhov noted that "municipal housing owned by the city, will be offered through different mechanisms such as rent or mortgage, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our population. Many residents are currently unable to afford homes offered by construction firms. Our ambition is to create housing that meets current standards and is accessible across different socioeconomic strata.”
“This program promises a transformative approach to housing in Kharkiv, unlike anything we have had before.”
Reported by Lesya Kopyluk, Oleksandr Ivanov, and Oleksiy Starenkov for Kharkiv News (original name in Ukrainian: Харків Новини).