The Practice of Providing Temporary Housing Internally Displaced Citizens in Post-Conflict Territories

Abstract

The article analyzes the current practice of providing temporary housing to internally displaced persons in post-conflict areas. It is noted that during the six years of internal displacement at the state level, a number of regulations have been developed that have provided internally displaced persons with the opportunity to begin the process of integration into host communities. At the same time, the full integration of internally displaced persons is slowing down due to the impossibility of exercising the right to housing guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine. It is emphasized that the uncertainty of further housing prospects still remains one of the most pressing problems for the majority of internally displaced persons, the comprehensive solution of which requires effective cooperation between public authorities and local governments. It is noted that to date, at the state level, official information on the housing needs of internally displaced persons and the number of internally displaced persons who have been provided with housing with the support of the state or local governments is still lacking. It is noted that the state housing policy, in terms of providing internally displaced persons with housing, should be based on long-term, systematic and consistent solutions, through the introduction of targeted housing programs for internally displaced persons at both state and local levels. For those internally displaced persons who do not have the opportunity to purchase housing, effective and transparent mechanisms for providing temporary housing should be in place at the state level. Emphasis is placed on the fact that until 2017, due to the lack of sources to finance the formation of housing funds for temporary residence, as well as the lack of vacant and, most importantly, habitable housing, the above funds at the local level were practically not formed, but where they were created – were not replenished. Attention is drawn to the feasibility of assessing communal property and potential objects that can be purchased, reconstructed for the accommodation of internally displaced persons. In order to ensure the realization of the right to temporary housing for displaced professionals from among internally displaced persons, it is proposed to provide local governments with the opportunity to determine the percentage of housing that can be provided to displaced professionals in proportion to the local budget.