The compensation program for housing damaged or destroyed due to Russian aggression, "eRestoration," will continue to be implemented next year, with funding of 4 billion UAH allocated in the state budget project for 2025, announced Elena Shulyak, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Governance, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning, to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
According to her, the budget project includes funding for the program amounting to 4 billion UAH, of which 3 billion UAH will be allocated for housing certificates for those who lost their homes, and 1 billion UAH will be designated for compensation for damaged property.
“The budget project did not initially allocate any funds for 'eRestoration' at all. Therefore, I submitted an amendment to include 10 billion UAH in the budget expenditures for next year for these purposes. I am relying on previous figures – in the first year of the 'eRestoration' program, citizens received 10.3 billion UAH in compensation. However, my amendment was rejected. Thus, the current allocation of funds can be seen as a certain victory. But, on the other hand, given the actual needs of the program – it is not enough, as this amount is catastrophically insufficient,” emphasized Shulyak.
She noted that Ukraine continues to negotiate with international partners for support in financing the program for the next year. Furthermore, the Council of Europe Development Bank has already joined in financing "eRestoration," providing EUR 100 million, and the World Bank has provided $200 million.
“Therefore, the 'eRestoration' program has a chance. I insist that the program must not only continue to support Ukrainians whose homes have been damaged or destroyed due to Russian aggression but also expand. There is an urgent need to extend the program to temporarily occupied territories. If we do not do this, the occupiers will. It is crucial to prevent that,” concluded Shulyak.
The "eRestoration" program started in Ukraine on May 10, 2023, allowing owners of damaged housing to receive compensation of up to 200,000 UAH for repairs. These funds can be used for purchasing building materials, paying for construction work, and services from contractors who have the appropriate codes to operate, and whose sellers have applied to participate in the program through the "Diya" portal. Since December, payments for major repairs of damaged residential properties have begun – up to 350,000 UAH for an apartment and 500,000 UAH for a private house.
As of August 1, 2023, applications for compensation for housing destroyed due to the war started being accepted in "Diya." Compensations are paid to sole owners of housing that was destroyed due to hostilities after February 24, 2022, is not subject to restoration, and is located in non-occupied territories. As of December 27, 2023, the issuance of housing certificates in "Diya" has begun.
As of September 2024, the "eRestoration" program has helped over 10,000 people obtain new housing and repair apartments and houses for more than 65,000 families.