Ukrainian Homes for All

What is Ukrainian Homes for All?

A Danish initiative aims to assist Ukraine in developing self-sustaining non-profit housing, drawing inspiration from Denmark's social housing model.

·The danish initiative is a new effort to assist Ukraine in developing affordable housing and to aid in the country's reconstruction by establishing new rental properties, inspired by Denmark's model of social housing.

Read this document for in-depth information on the ambition to create affordable housing in Ukraine (.pdf in english)

What is the goal for Ukrainian Homes for All?

The goal of the project, as a Danish contribution, is to create frameworks for establishing housing in Ukraine that are sustainable, accessible, easy to maintain, and energy-efficient. The housing concept will be developed in collaboration with Ukrainian refugees and professionals (in Denmark) to meet local needs, traditions, and culture. The economic model, inspired by a circular understanding, will 'recycle' rental income through the foundation to create more affordable non-profit housing in the future after the construction of the initial homes. This type of housing will strengthen resident democracy and counteract an unequal housing market in Ukraine.

Who is the founders of Ukrainian Homes for All?

The founders of Ukrainian Homes for All:

In December 2023, the association was founded. The board is composed of individuals with extensive knowledge of the social housing sector and Ukrainian conditions:

Kurt Helles Bardeleben, owner and attorney, SIRIUS Advokater (Chairman), Katja Waagepetersen, senior architect, Henning Larsen Arkitekter (vice Chairman), Frank Jensen, former Lord Mayor (Executive Committee member), Jens Elmelund, CEO, KAB (Executive Committee member), Bent Madsen, CEO, BL - Danmarks Almene Boliger, Charlotte Flindt Pedersen, director, Det Udenrigspolitiske Selskab, Jacob Axel Nielsen, direktør, Cryos International, former health and transport Minister, Jesper Nygård, CEO, Realdania, Line Røtting Dornan, CEO, Fonden for Billige Boliger and Kuben Byg. View the founders here.

Contact: Chairman, Kurt Bardeleben. info@ukrainianhomesforall.dk

What is the background for Ukrainian Homes for All?

The war in Ukraine has led to massive destruction of infrastructure and buildings, including many private residences. At the same time, the housing market has undergone significant changes since Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union when the housing market was state-regulated. Today, owner-occupied homes dominate, and there are few rental properties leased at market rates. The combination of these factors means that many Ukrainian families have great difficulty finding affordable housing. This challenge is what a new Danish initiative aims to address as the reconstruction in Ukraine gets underway.

The association "Ukrainian Homes for All - Danish Inspired Nonprofit Model" was founded on the initiative of several Danish actors with experience in the social housing sector in Denmark. Drawing inspiration from the Danish model of social and affordable housing, the association will, in collaboration with local Ukrainian actors, develop a housing model that enables the rental of good and sustainable homes at a rent that ordinary families can afford.

The founders have been working on the effort for most of 2023, and founded the association in December 2023. The board is composed of individuals with in-depth knowledge of the social housing sector and Ukrainian conditions, namely:

The chairman of the board, attorney Kurt Helles Bardeleben, states: "There is already a focus from both the EU and individual member states on aiding Ukraine in its reconstruction. We, who have initiated the association, wish to contribute to that effort when it hopefully soon becomes possible. We see potential in drawing on the many years of experience we have in Denmark with social housing, which does not aim for profit and where there is room for all income groups in society. Therefore, together with local partners, we will try to develop a corresponding model that fits Ukrainian society."

In addition to contributing to the fulfillment of an urgent need for housing, we have a responsibility to ensure that the buildings and urban areas constructed are viable in the future.

Climate resilience, biodiversity, and social responsibility are important elements of the task, and therefore, we are setting minimum requirements for sustainability to meet European climate ambitions. We want to build homes that bring back normal life and pave the way for a new future," says vice-chairman Katja Waagepetersen.

A better housing model

The project is being developed in collaboration with local authorities in the city of Mykolaiv, which has been hit hard by destruction as a result of the war.

The first phase focuses on developing the architecture surrounding the homes and a legal and organizational structure inspired by the Danish social housing model and adapted to Ukrainian conditions and experiences.

In the next phase, the ambition is to construct three pilot projects with Ukrainian partners. It is hoped that these projects can provide inspiration and experiences so that even more homes can be built using the same model.

Bent Madsen, CEO of BL – Danish Social Housing, says: "The war in Ukraine is a tragedy with significant human costs, which are expressed, partly, in a severe housing shortage. When the reconstruction of the country begins, there is an opportunity to do things better than before - for the benefit of the population of the country. For example, creating a socially and economically sustainable rental housing market, where there is also room for citizens with lower incomes. And where rental income goes towards even more affordable housing. This is something we want to contribute to with the experience we have from the social sector in Denmark."

Several parties have contributed to the development project with financial and professional resources. BL, The Industry Fund, Rambøll Foundation, and the philanthropic association Realdania each contributed DKK 150,000 to the initial development of the effort through the establishment of the association.

The Rambøll Foundation finances the development of the value program for the homes through a grant of DKK 1,187,500. This work is primarily carried out by Henning Larsen Architects and Rambøll. The Industry Fund finances the development of the organizational and legal model through a grant of DKK 820,000. This work is primarily carried out by Sirius Advokater. The board members work pro bono, and the companies also contribute to the project through reduced overhead costs.

What is the proces?

Phase 1 Here, the architectural vision will be developed, and requirements in accordance with the building regulations in Ukraine and the EU's Taxonomy for environmental sustainability in construction will be established, aiming for both social, environmental, and economic sustainability in construction. This phase will include an architectural value program and a framework for the legal and organizational structure.
·Phase 2: three pilot projects with Ukrainian partners will be designed and implemented. Subsequently, the entire structure around the housing units, including waiting lists, operational and maintenance budgets, will be established. The pilot projects will contribute experience for the implementation of additional housing units as well as for a sustainable and resilient housing sector.
The board of Ukrainian Homes for All aims to develop affordable, non-profit rental housing in Ukraine with green and sustainable solutions. The concept for the housing is inspired by the Danish social housing model and fundamental values for social housing but adapted to a Ukrainian context. If you have any questions about the project, you can contact Chairman of the Housing Foundation of Ukraine, Kurt Bardeleben, info@ukrainianhomesforall.dk.

Ukrainian Homes for All

Read this document for in-depth information on the ambition to create affordable housing in Ukraine (.pdf in english)

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