On 13 November 2026, the village of Soborne in Odesa Region opened social housing for families forced to leave their homes because of Russia’s war. The fully restored five-storey building contains 70 flats designed to accommodate more than 200 residents.
The project was delivered by Caritas Ukraine with financial support from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, as well as regional and local authorities.
The team from the charitable foundation “Caritas Odesa UGCC” carried out a comprehensive restoration of the building. In particular, it repaired the roof, façade, entrances and communal areas, replaced windows and engineering networks, and completed a major overhaul of all 70 flats. With support from the local authorities, the building was connected to external water supply and sewerage networks.
UNHCR furnished the flats and provided essential household appliances.
Special attention was paid to making the housing accessible for people with disabilities. On the ground floors of the third and fourth entrances, four adapted flats were created—two in each. The entrances to these stairwells were fitted with ramps.
“We do not know how much longer this war will last, but we do know one thing for certain: we must not allow it to define people’s futures for years to come. Even when returning home is impossible, families cannot live in endless waiting and uncertainty. Children who are growing up, and adults who work, study and build their lives in new communities, need confidence in tomorrow,” stressed Tetiana Stavnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine.
The housing will be provided to families free of charge for up to one year, with the option to extend in line with current legislation. Residents will pay only for utilities. The move-in process is currently under way.
According to Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine, the project demonstrates what can be achieved through cooperation between humanitarian organisations and local authorities.
“These 70 flats will not only become homes for displaced families; they will also remain part of the community’s housing stock and serve people who need affordable housing,” she noted.
The Soborne project is the latest outcome of many years of cooperation between Caritas Ukraine and UNHCR in the field of housing assistance. Through joint programmes, the organisations help people restore homes and flats damaged by the war, improve living conditions, and receive rental support.
The restored building will remain within the community’s housing stock. In the future, when some displaced people are able to return to their homes, the flats can be allocated to others who need housing.