From Temporary to Permanent: Government Approves Plan for IDP Integration and Housing Registry Launch

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new Activity Program, which provides for fundamental changes in the approach to housing internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to the document adopted on August 17, 2026, the key event of the coming year will be the launch of a specialized housing registry. This measure aims to systematize the transition from temporary accommodation of displaced persons to long-term solutions, ensuring their full integration into local communities.

Launch of the Housing Registry and Systemic Integration

According to the government's plan, the new registry will not just be a list of vacant apartments, but a full-fledged information and analytical system. It will allow tracking real estate objects and building a transparent model for transitioning to permanent residence. Responsibility for implementing this large-scale task has been assigned to the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons. The launch of the system is scheduled for 2027, which will mark the logical conclusion of the work on forming the regulatory and legal framework started this year.

Interdepartmental Coordination and "Single Window" Format

In 2026, the government will focus on establishing interdepartmental interaction. It is planned to ensure close coordination with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity to approve a detailed work plan on IDP issues. An important step will be the introduction of "single window" communication tools. This mechanism is designed to simplify access for displaced persons to information on available services, benefits, and procedures, eliminating bureaucratic barriers.

Financial Support and Budget Equalization

The Activity Program also provides for the reform of the system of horizontal equalization of the tax capacity of local budgets. This is necessary to take into account the increased needs of communities accepting IDPs and to provide support to frontline territories. In addition, special attention will be paid to supporting people who have returned from captivity, been deported or forcibly displaced as a result of Russia's armed aggression. In August 2026, payments were already made to certain categories of citizens for Independence Day, and an experimental project for direct financing of social services to the special accounts of recipients was launched.

Contradictory Data

Although the Activity Program of the Cabinet of Ministers clearly sets the launch of the housing registry for 2027, there are nuances in the implementation of current support measures. In particular, since August 1, 2026, some IDPs have lost the right to receive a housing voucher in its traditional form, which has raised questions from the public. However, according to official explanations, this is due to the introduction of a new mechanism for using the voucher as a contribution to a mortgage. Thus, while one side sees a reduction in available tools for temporary support, the government views this as a transition to more long-term and effective tools for housing provision.