At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, European financial institutions were presented with an investment model comprising six residential neighbourhoods designed to accommodate 10,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mariupol. International partners were also introduced to the master plan for the first development, which will be built in Bila Tserkva with Government support under the "My Home. Ukraine" programme.

The pilot project, consisting of 44 residential buildings with 1,187 apartments, is being implemented by the Mariupol City Military Administration in partnership with the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, with the participation of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Bila Tserkva City Council, and with the support of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration and Metinvest Group. 

"We have already received applications from 12,000 families who have lost their homes. We therefore count on successfully securing additional external financing to rapidly scale up construction with the active support of the Government. The demand for housing assistance is enormous, as Mariupol residents, like IDPs from other destroyed and occupied communities, are currently unable to receive compensation for their lost property. The relevant international compensation mechanism is still being developed," stated Vadym BOICHENKO, Head of the Mariupol City Military Administration.  

As part of the "My Home. Ukraine" programme, six investment projects have already been prepared to create a stock of affordable housing comprising 3,612 apartments for 10,500 Mariupol residents in Bila Tserkva, Vasylkiv and Boyarka (Kyiv Region), Lviv and Mykolaiv (Lviv Region), and Chernivtsi. Land plots and project documentation are already in place. The total funding requirement amounts to EUR 182 million, with 50% guaranteed by the Government of Ukraine (using funds belonging to the Mariupol community that were transferred to the state budget). The remaining half is expected to be secured through grants and investment.  

The "My Home. Ukraine" programme aims to contribute to the establishment of a national affordable housing system to support socially vulnerable groups and create new opportunities for Ukrainians to return home. 

The first phase of the residential neighbourhood will be constructed using steel-frame technology. Apartments will be delivered fully finished and equipped with furniture and household appliances. The housing will remain the property of the Mariupol community. Rent will not exceed 30% of a household's average monthly income and will be capped at UAH 4,000 – 6,000 per month, depending on the size of the apartment. Certain eligible groups will be entitled to rent-free accommodation funded through state programmes.

The engineering and technical foundation of the project is based on the "Steel Dream" universal reconstruction concept developed by Metinvest Group for war-affected communities. 

At the same time, the "Mariupol Quarter" will become the first residential development in Ukraine designed in accordance with the concept and principles of European social housing. The concept was developed by the full-cycle urban bureau Big City Lab together with the architectural practice PUPA and the consulting company Civitta, commissioned by the Mariupol City Military Administration. The expert team studied the experience of France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland and adapted it to Ukraine's needs. 

"We created 'Steel Dream' as a comprehensive package of ready-made housing and infrastructure solutions for cities affected by war. It is based on modern steel construction technologies that make it possible to build quickly, cost-effectively and reliably. Above all, what people need in order to return and rebuild their lives is a home. Metinvest is ready to help the state scale up its housing programmes. Steel construction technology makes these programmes more affordable while supporting domestic manufacturers and strengthening the country's economy," said Yuriy RYZHENKOV, Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest Group.

The concept goes beyond providing people with quality housing. It also ensures access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential social infrastructure needed for a full and sustainable life.

"Affordable housing is a critically important condition for Ukrainians to return, but it must be part of a comprehensive solution. People need stable jobs with clear working conditions and opportunities for professional development. It is equally important to ensure access to quality education, healthcare and modern social infrastructure, because it is the combination of all these factors that creates an environment in which people decide to come back home," said Nataliia YEMCHENKO,  the Director of Public Relations and Communications of SCM and Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.