Family-type children’s homes (FHCs) are critical to support children deprived of parental care, especially in wartime. The military conflict caused a significant increase in the number of orphans and children who lost their family environment. Providing such children with stability, care and the opportunity to live in a family atmosphere is an important task. It is DBST that allows providing children with comfortable living conditions, emotional support and access to quality education and medicine, which is an integral part of their harmonious development.
In addition, the war creates additional challenges related to the displacement of DBST organizing families and their housing needs. Providing such families with housing is not only a humanitarian necessity, but also an investment in the future, because these children will become active participants in the reconstruction of the country.
State support and implementation mechanisms
At the interdepartmental meeting chaired by the Deputy Head of the Office of the President Iryna Vereshchuk, it was noted progress in the acquisition of housing for family-type children’s homes. Representatives of seven oblasts — Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne and Kharkiv — announced the purchase of eight new apartments for such families.
The implementation of this project takes place within the framework of the state subvention provided for by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 1055 of September 13, 2024. The main areas of use of this subvention are:
- Provision of housing for DBSTs who are in safe regions after evacuation outside of Ukraine and plan to return.
- Purchase of housing for DBST temporarily displaced within the country.
- Support for newly created DBSTs that require initial conditions for organizing accommodation.
This process involves not only providing housing, but also creating comfortable conditions for the full functioning of such families. This includes furnishing apartments with furniture and appliances, as well as creating a favorable environment for children.
Problems and prospects
Although significant progress has been achieved, there are a number of challenges in the state. In particular, the search for suitable housing in the conditions of a limited real estate market in safe regions; the need to provide psychological support to families and children who have experienced traumatic events and ensure adequate funding from the state for further expansion of the program.
However, the cooperation of the state, local authorities and public organizations makes it possible to move forward. The development of DBST is a long-term investment in the restoration of social and demographic stability in Ukraine.
The program to provide housing for family-type children’s homes is an important step towards creating comfortable conditions for children left without parental care. In the conditions of war, such support is extremely relevant, because it allows children to be provided with stability, care and support, which are so necessary for their further development. Despite the existing challenges, state initiatives and active participation of society give hope for the successful implementation of this program and the creation of a better future for Ukrainian children.
