Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv and Chair of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities, has called for the launch of affordable and social housing programmes not to be postponed until the end of the war. In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, he stated that housing, security and promising employment opportunities are key conditions for the return of Ukrainians and for retaining young people in the country.
Briefly about the main points
- Terekhov called for housing programmes to be launched even whilst the war was still ongoing.
- In Kharkiv, 160,000 residents have been left homeless.
- The city is home to over 1.3 million residents and 217,000 internally displaced persons.
- The mayor said that safety, housing and employment were the conditions for people’s return.
- Construction can create jobs in related sectors.
Housing as one of the conditions for people’s return
Igor Terekhov said that the reconstruction of housing is one of the key prerequisites for the return of Kharkiv’s residents. According to him, 160,000 residents of Kharkiv have been left homeless as a result of the shelling.
The mayor said that the city is currently home to just over 1.3 million people, as well as 217,000 internally displaced persons. Before the full-scale war, Kharkiv’s population stood at 1.56 million, excluding students and people who commuted to work from the wider metropolitan area.
According to Terekhov, people who have left the city are prepared to return permanently provided three conditions are met: safety, the availability of housing, and promising, well-paid work.
Construction as a driver of employment
Terekhov believes that a construction boom should be the first sign of the country’s revival. He emphasised that this is not just about providing people with affordable and social housing, but also about the wider economic impact.
According to his estimates, one job in the construction sector creates a further five or six jobs in related industries. Alongside housing construction, he cited industrial development, the launch of high-tech manufacturing facilities and the creation of jobs for skilled professionals.
Furthermore, according to the mayor, the reconstruction should include social infrastructure — schools, hospitals and nurseries.
A call not to delay the decision
«We cannot wait for the war to end, because we will lose people, especially young people. If we lose our young people, it will be very difficult,» said Terekhov.
He said that there are over 4.5 million in Ukraine internally displaced persons. According to the chair of the Association of Frontline Towns and Communities, the state needs to help these people find housing, work and the opportunity to integrate into their chosen community.
Terekhov spoke out against bringing in cheap labour from abroad, emphasising that jobs should be created first and foremost for Ukrainians, particularly for those returning from military service.
From housing programmes to demographics
In Terekhov’s view, housing policy is not merely about rebuilding destroyed homes. It must form part of the conditions under which people can return to or settle in a new community without feeling that their situation is temporary.
The mayor believes that combining housing, employment, children’s education and social infrastructure could help Ukraine overcome its economic and demographic crisis. This is his assessment and proposal regarding the priorities of state policy.
