Financial assistance to refugees from Ukraine to rent housing

When arriving in Poland, refugees from Ukraine can apply for temporary residence in a special social center. Over time, they will have to look for ways to rent housing and find employment. Limited financial resources and landlords' distrust of foreigners complicate this process. The Habitat Poland Foundation offers a comprehensive assistance program for refugees "Krok do Domu". As part of this initiative, Ukrainians in Poland receive comprehensive assistance in finding and renting affordable housing, including legal, financial, and organizational assistance. We will tell you more about the aspects of existing programs, their effectiveness, and ways to participate below.

The essence of the "Step to Home" program

The social program has been developed specifically for Ukrainian refugees forced to leave their homes due to military action, within the framework of international partnership and mutual support. Every Ukrainian with temporary protection status who meets the following criteria can count on assistance:

• document confirming crossing the Polish border after 24.02.2022;
• stay in the country at the time of filing the application;
• planned rental housing for a period of 12 months;
• minimum family income within 3000-4500 zlotys per month, depending on the Voivodeship;
• confirmed status of a person from a special risk group for losing housing (war zone, temporarily occupied territories).

A full list of requirements can be found on the official website of the fund. The program is valid throughout Poland. You can take part in it on the terms of free registration, submission of the required package of documents and partial payment of rental housing costs. Detailed conditions are negotiated on an individual basis.
The solution to the housing issue involves inspecting housing options in real time. Therefore, it is important that the applicant be physically present in the locality where he/she plans to settle. The program organizers also emphasize the sincerity of the participants and the reliability of the information they provide about their income level and actual living conditions.

Step to home: available formats of assistance

The Habitat Poland Foundation offers several formats of cooperation. A participant can apply for support in solving organizational issues, namely in finding affordable housing options, completing the legal component, as well as financing the rental of housing:

1. When searching for housing, the foundation provides instructions for independent activity, a paid real estate agent for remote selection of housing options or financing of a realtor chosen by the program participant.
2. When signing a lease agreement - legal support in the form of selecting standardized contracts for regular and temporary leases, installing a mobile application for remote signing of the contract, insurance for both parties, accompanying services of a notary, translator.
3. If the client meets additional criteria, according to the program, he may be offered partial coverage of rental costs, as well as additional funding of the deposit.
4. When improving the life situation, the program provides partial financing of an internship, professional, language courses, payment for kindergarten, as well as information support for solving everyday issues.

The format of interaction can be requested by the program participant, and during the interview and data verification, program representatives will adjust it to comply with social standards.

How to apply for participation

Submission of documents for participation in the social program "Step to Home" is remote. First of all, you need to fill out a participant's questionnaire, which can be found on the fund's website. The text is available in three languages ​​- Ukrainian, Russian and Polish. It is recommended to submit it no earlier than 31 days before the planned date of renting housing. The processing and verification period of the questionnaire is on average 7 days, but depends on the flow of applicants at a particular moment. The applicant will receive the verification result in electronic form. In case of a positive answer, a manager will be assigned to him who will help organize all the declared procedures for renting housing and improving living conditions.

Partial reimbursement of housing rent from the Polish Red Cross

Another program for improving the housing conditions of Ukrainian refugees was organized by the Polish Red Cross together with the Polish Center for International Aid. The program operates in 16 voivodeships with equal participation rules. Unlike the "Step to Home" program, this initiative only provides partial financing of rent during the first 6 months according to the following scheme:

• full coverage of the deposit and rent for 1 month of residence;
• 80% of the rent for the 2nd and 3rd months;
• 50% of the rent for the 4th and 5th months;
• 30% of the cost of housing for the 6th month.

The program participant searches for housing options within the agreed amount independently. For this, he can use the services of a real estate agent, but at his own expense.

Read also: How to rent an apartment in Poland: useful tips

To register for the program, you need to:

1. Fill out an online application posted on the official websites of the organizing institutions, providing personal, contact information, documents confirming social status in Poland, information about living conditions, financial situation and profession.
2. Wait for a call from the manager within 7 days from the moment of sending the application with the results of the check and a decision on further assistance.
3. Pass an interview for an additional check of documents and discussion of the terms of cooperation approved in the certificate for participation in the program.

After registering for the program, the participant is given 30 days to find suitable housing and sign a lease agreement. On its basis, the organizers will provide financing, fulfilling their obligations.