In 2024, the Odesa region received more than UAH 83 million from the state budget to provide housing for orphans and children deprived of parental care. However, instead of real assistance to families, most of these funds remained unused.
According to official data, more than 53 million hryvnias have not been distributed within the Odessa City Territorial Community, and more than 13 million were "hung" in Velikodolinsk, Kiliysk and Fontana communities.
As a result, at the end of 2024, unused funds were forced to return to the state budget, and dozens of children who had to receive housing remained with nothing. This caused a wave of indignation among public activists and among specialized specialists.
However, the situation in 2025 looks even more anxious. Despite last year's failure, Odesa region again received a record amount - over UAH 114 million. As of May, nearly 100 million has been transferred, but only about 3 million was mastered, which is less than 3% of the allocated funds.
"It's not just figures - it is a broken hopes of dozens of children who need not a loud promise, but a real roof over their heads," the source in social services comments.
Experts emphasize that the problem is systemic. The main reasons are delaying the procedures, the lack of quality preparation of documentation, and in some places - the complete irresponsibility of local authorities. Against the background of this, the state actually loses millions that could provide orphans the most necessary - housing.
NGOs have already applied to the profile ministries demanding to intervene immediately. They call for the creation of a public plan of action, the introduction of strict control over the implementation of programs, as well as the publication of reporting for each territorial community.
“It's not just another delay. These are a violation of the rights of the most vulnerable Ukrainians, ”human rights activists emphasize.
The situation does not require regular promises, but specific decisions. Otherwise, millions of hryvnias will return to the budget again, and the children will be left without a home, which has long been deserved.
