In Odessa, the housing program for orphans has not yielded results

City council members are demanding an explanation as to why the city’s housing program for orphans has failed to produce results for years. The Department of Children’s Services is proposing to co-fund the purchase of apartments.

This was discussed at a meeting of the Odessa City Council’s Standing Committee on Education, Sports, and Cooperation with Civil Society Organizations.

According to Ilya Zugravoy, head of the Odessa City Council’s Children’s Services Department, amendments to the program were approved in August 2026. It covers the provision of housing for orphans, children deprived of parental care, and individuals from among them, as well as support for family-based care arrangements. The program is designed for the period 2023–2029.

The approval process was delayed, in part, due to questions about which adults would be eligible for housing. During the discussion, it was noted that this group could include people who already have children of their own and are over 30 years old.

According to Zugravoy, even two months after the updated program was adopted, it became clear that some of its provisions were not working.

One of the proposals is to co-finance the purchase of apartments. Adult orphans will be able to use their own savings, and the city will contribute the remaining amount.

“We’re now facing a critical situation where two working adults are no longer able to save or set anything aside. Do you really think children from orphanages will be able to save anything?” a committee member asked.

The deputies also asked whether orphans without savings would receive assistance. They wondered if those who had managed to save more would have an advantage.

As an example, agency representatives cited another city where more than 30 apartments were purchased under a similar program.

During the meeting, it was acknowledged that the waiting list for apartments for orphans in Odesa is not getting shorter but continues to grow.

The specific amounts of funding, the number of apartments purchased, and the number of children who received housing were not specified in the relevant section of the report.

The program’s implementing agencies—the district administrations—are required to submit reports on its implementation by October 15. As of the meeting, the agency had not yet received reports on the implementation of certain measures.

It was also proposed to appoint a dedicated staff member to coordinate this work.

Separately, Zugravyi reported on changes in legislation regarding the powers of child welfare and guardianship authorities. As a result, Odesa is preparing to transform its child protection system, including changes to the structure of the Children’s Services Department and its staffing levels.

Ірина Глухова