4.6 Million Displaced People Left Without Homes: Why Government Aid Programs Are Failing Ukraine’s IDPs.

today, 20:30 306

today, 20:30 306

Displaced people without housing in Ukraine

The Plight of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine

According to Espreso.tv: As of February 2026, Ukraine had registered more than 4.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), though the actual number of those currently living in displacement is around 3.7 million. Many are women and children who have settled in front-line and central regions, as well as in larger safe cities. Housing remains a severe challenge for countless families, including that of Oksana Kostovska, who was first displaced in 2014 and later moved to Lviv in 2023 with her three children. The war has forced millions to flee their homes, yet the country's response has not kept pace with the scale of the crisis.

Oksana Kostovska has endured the destruction of her home, captivity, and a relentless struggle to find shelter.

“I walked out holding Lyonya in my arms and fell to my knees. God, I cried so hard, I screamed so loud, because I realized it was over—no one would touch me anymore, I was finally safe…”

she recalls of her journey to safety. Her housing troubles became critical, and even active efforts to secure help yielded nothing:

“I just lost hope. We went through acquaintances, we even went on TV. I also raised the issue on social media. Statistically, 120,000 people saw it, but out of those 120,000, not a single person offered any housing assistance,”

says Kostovska.

Government Programs and Initiatives

The state has several tools to support IDPs, including:

monthly living allowances (2,000 UAH for adults, 3,000 UAH for children and people with disabilities);
modular and temporary housing programs.

The eOselia program offers preferential mortgage rates (3% or 7%) for IDPs, but the reality remains tough. Roughly 40% of landlords doubt the solvency of displaced tenants, while 32% fear renters will disappear without paying. These systemic barriers severely complicate the search for housing.

In Lviv, authorities recently announced the winner of an architectural competition for a new social housing complex on Ivana Velychkovskoho Street, which will include 300 apartments. This initiative could be a meaningful step in addressing the housing needs of internally displaced persons. Yet the overall situation shows that despite the existence of government programs, the needs of IDPs remain largely unmet.

“That mother of my son’s classmate told me: ‘You won’t end up on the street. Calm down. We’ll find you housing now,’”

says Oksana, highlighting the critical role of support and solidarity during tough times.

The situation for internally displaced persons in Ukraine remains dire, despite the government’s efforts to assist them. The vast number of displaced people and the shortage of affordable housing underscore the need for a more comprehensive approach to solving this crisis. Recent initiatives, such as the new social housing complex in Lviv, could have a positive impact, but effectively tackling the housing problem also requires reducing the social and economic barriers that displaced people face. Recognizing the challenges confronting IDPs may be the first step toward building a more inclusive society.