In Bila Tserkva, a pilot project has been launched to build a housing complex with 1,000 apartments for internally displaced people (IDPs) from Mariupol. During a ceremony at the construction site with project partners, Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, unveiled a commemorative marker dedicated to the heroes of the Mariupol Garrison. At its heart is the anchor of the naval vessel Donbas, which was scuttled during the defence of Mariupol, preventing Russian landing craft from entering the port. This symbol of the city and its resilience was miraculously preserved: at the time of the full-scale invasion, it was undergoing repairs in Dnipro.
The construction of the new residential district is being carried out under My Home. Ukraine, an initiative launched by Kuleba. The project aims to establish a national affordable housing system to support socially vulnerable groups and create new opportunities for Ukrainians to return home. To enable the pilot project for IDPs from Mariupol, Government Resolution No. 814 has been approved. The initiative is being implemented by the Mariupol City Council, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Kyiv Regional Military Administration and the Bila Tserkva City Council, with the support of Metinvest Group.
“Mariupol is a city of unbreakable heroes. The scale of loss suffered by our citizens, including Mariupol residents, is unprecedented. This is why the launch of the My Home. Ukraine project is such an important step in shaping a new housing policy. We must scale this model further. Through a consolidated, shoulder-to-shoulder approach – uniting the efforts of the state, communities and business – we are not just putting a roof back over people’s heads, we are giving them the confidence and opportunity to build their future on Ukrainian soil,” emphasised KULEBA.
The complex will consist of 16 residential buildings with 1,000 apartments, providing high-quality social housing for more than 3,000 Mariupol residents. It will bring together accommodation, social infrastructure and public spaces. All apartments will be fully refurbished, furnished and equipped with household appliances. The housing will remain the property of the Mariupol community. Rent within the complex will not exceed 30% of a family’s average monthly income, capped at UAH4,000-6,000 per month depending on the size of the apartment. Residents who qualify under several preferential categories will be eligible for free accommodation funded through state programmes. Negotiations are already underway regarding international support to scale the construction further.
The land allocation process for the district has now been completed, along with most preparatory stages. Geological soil surveys are currently being conducted. Once the project financing has been approved, the final phase will begin, including the issuance of permits required to commence construction.
“Social housing for Mariupol residents in Bila Tserkva is about more than modern, high-quality buildings. It is about giving Ukrainians who have lost their homes the chance to improve their living conditions and confidently build their future in Ukraine. This will be the first comprehensive solution for providing social housing to IDPs since the start of the full-scale war. It is made possible through cooperation between the state, regional and local authorities, as well as business. While the pilot project is designed for 1,000 families, we are already in discussions with international partners to scale it to other cities where Mariupol residents live today,” said Vadym BOICHENKO, Mayor of Mariupol.
The initial phase of the district – eight buildings for more than 500 families – is planned to be constructed using steel-frame technology. This will shorten delivery timelines and reduce costs, enabling the first buildings to be completed within a year. During the event, a joint statement was signed confirming that Metinvest would transfer the full design documentation for the Steel Dream universal residential district (at the concept design stage), along with the associated rights for reuse, to the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and the Mariupol City Council.
“For Rinat Akhmetov, it is incredibly important to see how investments in Ukraine’s resilience and recovery deliver real results. The Steel Dream residential district concept that Metinvest has developed is universal. It incorporates European social housing principles with dignified living conditions and can be replicated to systematically address the needs of internally displaced people. Rinat Akhmetov intends to continue supporting the implementation of such projects in close coordination with the state and international partners, including through his charitable foundation. We already have successful experience working with the Mariupol City Council to create comfortable spaces for people. The new project in Bila Tserkva opens fundamentally new, larger opportunities for reconstruction and addressing IDP challenges. We are honoured to be part of this process: both as a business and as representatives of the country’s leading charitable foundation,” said Nataliia YEMCHENKO, a member of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Supervisory Board and SCM Director of Public Relations and Communications.
“Ukrainian steel produced by Metinvest can be found in countless landmark structures: from skyscrapers to the world’s most famous bridges and stadiums. During the war, we discovered yet another mission for our steel: supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Bunkers, anti-drone protection, underground steel hospitals: this is steel that protects lives. Steel Dream is our next step in advancing the use of steel. It is our contribution to building housing for displaced Ukrainians and creating dignified living conditions for those who will live, rebuild and plan their future here in Ukraine. It is our contribution to the country’s social resilience,” said Ihor TONIEV, General Director of Metinvest’s iron ore mining segment, during the event.
The project is expected to have a positive impact on the economy of Bila Tserkva and the Kyiv region.
“The Kyiv region has become a refuge for more than 230,000 internally displaced people. We are doing everything possible to provide housing and employment for those who were forced to flee their homes because of the war. This is not only about having a roof over one’s head: it is about restoring a sense of stability, inner strength and the possibility of starting life anew. Moreover, many people from Mariupol who have chosen the Kyiv region as their new home bring entrepreneurial experience, as well as professional skills in industry, logistics, IT and healthcare. They are becoming full participants in the economic life of Bila Tserkva and the region. This is undoubtedly a highly positive development,” said Mykola KALASHNYK, Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration.
The Mariupol Quarter will become the first residential development in Ukraine built in accordance with the concept and principles of social housing developed by the full-service urban design bureau Big City Lab, together with the architectural bureau PUPA and the consulting company Civitta. The team of experts studied the experience of France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland, and adapted it to the needs of Ukraine.
“The pilot project in Bila Tserkva is based on our concept for people-centric, scalable, low-cost social housing. We propose comfortable, low-rise residential districts that suit all generations, with courtyards free from parked cars and instead filled with recreation areas, sports fields and playgrounds, gardens and small parks. Ground floors will include a kindergarten, co-working spaces, a library, shops, pharmacies and cafés, ensuring that everything essential is within walking distance. The entire development will be barrier-free, with accessible apartments on lower floors, underground shelters and parking,” explains Viktoriia TITOVA, CEO of Big City Lab.
Further expansion of residential construction is being considered in cities with the largest numbers of IDPs from Mariupol: Lviv and Dnipro. The Mariupol City Council and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development are also actively seeking international partners.
The pilot project for constructing social housing for internally displaced people from Mariupol has been defined by Resolution No. 814 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Its purpose is to provide high-quality, affordable housing to IDPs who have lost their homes as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion through a social rental model. During the 86-day blockade, the Russian army destroyed 90% of the city’s infrastructure. More than 200,000 Mariupol residents who lost their homes fled the occupied city and are now living in territories controlled by Ukraine.
Steel Dream is a universal reconstruction concept developed by Metinvest, owned by Rinat Akhmetov. It is based on three steel construction technologies – modular, frame and platform – enabling fast and flexible development. The Group’s specialists have created more than 200 standard residential and social infrastructure designs, ready for immediate implementation.
