Odessa has allocated 154 million for inclusive public restrooms

The city program “Barrier-Free Odesa,” for which more than 1 billion hryvnias have been allocated from the budget, has been extended through 2029. The funds are planned to be used to create accessible spaces in residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and public places.

The Center for Public Investigations examined the details of the program.

On July 29, 2026, the Executive Committee of the Odesa City Council adopted a resolution to extend the program and update its measures and funding. According to the draft resolution, the total budget for 2023–2029 is 1 billion 49 million 792 thousand hryvnias. All funds are to come from the city budget.

More than 154 million hryvnias have been allocated for the purchase and installation of automatic public restrooms with accessible stalls. A total of 114.3 million hryvnias has been earmarked through 2029 for the development of recreational areas for people with disabilities on city beaches.

72.2 million hryvnias have been allocated to ensure accessibility in 171 municipal educational institutions. An additional 47.1 million hryvnias are planned to be spent on major renovations of restrooms in 36 educational institutions.

A total of 25.3 million hryvnias has been allocated for municipal medical facilities. Separately, 20 million has been set aside for installing elevators in eight hospital buildings, and 3 million for an outdoor lift at the outpatient department of City Hospital No. 8.

Over 126 million hryvnias are planned to be allocated for the renovation of entrances to residential buildings. An additional 38.97 million has been set aside for the installation of 28 elevators in underground pedestrian crossings.

Last August, the city council found itself on the verge of scrapping the“Barrier-Free Odesa” program due to a scandal surrounding the cost of accessible restrooms—5.7 million hryvnias each.

At that time, Intent Editor-in-ChiefValery Bolgan, journalistIryna Hryb, and city council memberOleksandr Slavskyidiscussed a 600-million-hryvnia loan, disputes over the cost of accessible restrooms, and compliance with court orders.

Анна Літман