Poland To End Free Housing And Meals For Most Ukrainian Refugees

For tens of thousands of Ukrainians who fled to Poland aft Russia’s full-scale invasion, nan free shelter and nutrient that helped them past whitethorn soon beryllium gone.

Starting November 1, nan Polish authorities plans to restrict entree to corporate accommodation centres, cutting disconnected astir existent residents unless they beryllium to a alleged “protected group”: pensioners, pregnant women, aliases group pinch disabilities.

Major displacement successful Poland’s support for Ukrainian refugees

The draught law, approved this week, will people a awesome displacement successful really Poland supports its Ukrainian exile population.

“After these 120 days, which are counted from nan first time of introduction of a Ukrainian national into Poland, nan play of financial complicity begins,” said Joanna Bachanek, a spokesperson for nan Masovian Voivodeship governor.

Under existent rules, refugees get 3 months of afloat subsidised housing. But according to Polish authorities, much than half of those staying successful corporate shelters person already exceeded that period, often paying partial fees for nutrient and accommodation.

In nan Masovian region alone, astir 3,000 group presently unrecorded successful these shelters, and much than 1,000 beds stay empty, though not for long.

What’s adjacent for Ukrainian refugees successful Poland?

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka says nan displacement reflects really exile needs person changed.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs believes that now is nan infinitesimal erstwhile this type of support tin beryllium stopped,” he said.

For those near retired of nan caller eligibility criteria, Poland is pointing to nan EU-funded “Together to Independence” programme, which offers thief pinch rent subsidies and connection courses. But nary much government-funded shelters.

While nan argumentation whitethorn trim nationalist spending, it besides raises questions astir what will hap to nan astir 6,000 group nary longer eligible for housing, galore of whom still look trouble uncovering work, navigating bureaucracy, aliases overcoming connection barriers.

Meanwhile, successful nan Netherlands, immoderate cities person already started refusing asylum to Ukrainian refugees, citing a deficiency of lodging altogether.

Read here more news from Poland.

Read here more European news.