President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new law on Tuesday, February 13, 2026, fundamentally reshaping Ukraine’s housing policy and abolishing the Soviet-era Housing Code, according to official statements.
The law, officially titled “On the Basic Principles of Housing Policy” (bill No. 12377), marks a significant departure from decades of unfulfilled promises of free housing, replacing them with a system centered on social, or affordable, rental options. The legislation’s passage fulfills an obligation under the Ukraine Facility program, addressing the long-standing issue of extensive waiting lists for housing.
Under the new framework, a dedicated housing fund will be established, comprised of properties that cannot be privatized or sold. Citizens will be able to rent these units at rates below market value, a key shift from the previous system. The move aims to address the reality that the state has been unable to deliver on promises of free home ownership for generations, as reported by Minfin.com.ua.
The law also introduces new regulations for obtaining official housing and establishes a digital system for managing the country’s housing stock. According to a report from Fakty.com.ua, the previous Housing Code dated back to 1983.
The signing of the law was confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada website, as reported by Strana.news. The legislation is expected to impact real estate agents and landlords, with potential changes to taxation and regulations still under consideration by the Rada, according to RBC-Ukraine.
The reform is occurring against the backdrop of the ongoing war, which has highlighted the urgent require for housing solutions for displaced persons and those who have lost their homes. The law’s proponents argue that the new system will provide a more sustainable and equitable approach to housing provision in Ukraine.
