The lack of state subsidies for collective accommodation centers for refugees leaves many people, usually the least self-reliant, at risk of homelessness.
Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022, many people who arrived in Poland have become independent. However, there is still a large group of people who, for various reasons, find it difficult to find employment and are unable to pay rent in collective accommodation centers, which are no longer subsidized by the state.
Single mothers with young children, the elderly, and the disabled face the specter of returning to Ukraine, even though the homes they left there are mostly destroyed and the situation across our eastern border is still far from normal.
Working with our partners: the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Norwegian Embassy in Warsaw, we provide accommodation and extensive protection to groups most at risk of homelessness.
How do we do this?
– We run two houses (in Opole and Warsaw), where we implement an original adaptation program for refugees. These are intimate places where each family has its own independent place and, at the same time, can integrate with the other residents in shared rooms. Special caseworkers are assigned to each home. They monitor the needs of the beneficiaries on an ongoing basis.
– Our mobile teams also visit collective accommodation centers located away from large conurbations. We provide psychological and social support to the residents there.
– Constant amendments to laws and regulations concerning Ukrainian citizens do not make life easier for refugees. In addition, they often lack access to the internet and basic information. We provide free legal advice (e.g. on legalization of residence or labor law) both at our Legal Centre in Warsaw and during individual online consultations or via social media.
In the project, we pay special attention to people at risk of exclusion and acts of violence. By creating decent living conditions for them and providing access to information and education, we hope that they will also soon become independent and integrated into their local communities.
Project implemented thanks to financial support:
