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Ukraine: New law allows CSOs to provide social services to the homeless

The parliament adopted the Law on Liberty of Movement and Free Choice of Residence on December 12, 2019 to improve the situation of the homeless.

Up until now, only state social institutions could register homeless people. With the adoption of the amendments this has now changed and other organizations, including CSOs and social protection institutions for homeless persons, established both by local executive authorities and local self-government bodies, as well as by public or religious organizations, enterprises, institutions, organizations regardless of ownership, will have this right.

Thus, in particular CSOs will be able to provide social services, such as submission of applications for registration and deregistration of the residence of homeless persons. This is an important development, as these legal changes will help involve CSOs in the implementation of regional and local programs in the field of social service provision for homeless citizens.

Reference information: There is no accurate information on a number of homeless people. The Ministry of Social Policy noted around 16 thousand people. On the other hand, taking into consideration statistics in European countries, where 0,5% the total population live on the streets, there may be approximately 175-200 thousand homeless people in Ukraine.

16-12-2019
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