According to new findings from the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), more than 236 000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged since the start of the war. In total, over 2.5 million housing units, roughly 10% of the country’s entire housing stock, have been damaged or rendered inaccessible due to ongoing fighting.

The scale of destruction, compounded by a shortage of municipal housing and an under-regulated rental market, has sharply intensified pressure on both availability and affordability. The IOM report warns that displaced Ukrainians now face “severe constraints” in securing stable, safe shelter.

The UN estimates that around 10.6 million people, nearly one quarter of Ukraine’s pre-war population, have been forced to flee their homes. While many fled the country, 3.7 million people remain displaced inside Ukraine.

Two-thirds of those still in the country report being unable to afford their accommodation. Many families relying on rental housing have exhausted their savings, while rising demand continues to push rents higher.

The IOM notes that the “financial burden of rent continues to weigh heavily on displaced households”, with many people now spending 50% or more of their income on rent alone.

Robert Turner, the IOM Ukraine Chief of Mission, said responding to the crisis remains a central priority. “IOM is dedicated to helping internally displaced people, and the communities hosting them, build lasting futures. This includes training for new skills, connecting people with jobs, and securing stable homes,” he said.

Humanitarian and development partners are supporting displaced families through financial and legal aid, as well as livelihood programmes. Local authorities, meanwhile, are working to rehabilitate and expand municipal housing in an effort to meet surging demand.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–