Housing for military personnel: who is eligible for compensation and how to secure an apartment.

Ukrainian servicemen, both mobilized and contract volunteers, have a guaranteed right to housing provided by the state. Various legal documents specify that this includes the provision of service accommodation, the option to rent or purchase an apartment, or the possibility of receiving compensation for housing rental. Important details regarding housing for military personnel were explained by lawyer Lyubov Drobotova on the legal firm's portal.

Drobotova was informed that all details concerning compensation and housing provision are outlined in Article 12 of the law "On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Their Families." Point 1 states that the state is obligated to provide either a residence or compensate for housing expenses. Furthermore, there is a reference to the "Housing Code of the Ukrainian SSR." The code specifies, among other things, the standard living space, which modern Ukraine uses as a guideline — 13.65 square meters per family member. Another document mentioned by the lawyer is Cabinet Resolution No. 459 dated June 26, 2013, which details the procedure for processing and receiving compensation.

The law states that those mobilized during their service are housed in barracks. If they have families, service accommodations are provided for them. If not, special barracks must be constructed or places in family dormitories provided. If that is also not feasible, military personnel receive compensation for renting an apartment, or the military unit itself rents accommodation, as stated in the articles of the legal act. In turn, contract servicemen are "provided with housing without delay at the expense of military formations at their place of service."

Housing for Military Personnel — Who Can Receive Compensation

The legal portal listed who among Ukrainians connected to the military is entitled to compensation for rental expenses or is to be provided with an apartment for temporary residence:

• military personnel who have served in the army for 20 years or more;
• former military personnel who retired due to health reasons or age;
• families of missing servicemen or fighters who have died.

In all cases, the provisions apply not only to servicemen but also to their family members, as indicated by the norms of the law. It is specifically noted that there is the possibility to improve living conditions; for this purpose, they must register accordingly. A queue is formed from all interested individuals based on two criteria:

• the duration of time the serviceman has been registered;
• priority is taken into account (some have the right to receive housing first — details were not provided by the lawyer).

How to Apply for Housing Compensation

According to legal requirements, there is a specific procedure for processing the funds that the serviceman's family will use to pay for the apartment.

Steps to obtain compensation for military housing:

• submit a compensation application in either paper or electronic form. If there is a CNAP (Center for Administrative Services) at the military unit, services from the center can be utilized;
• attach a package of documents to the application — passport (copy), identification (combat participant, serviceman, etc.), certificate of registration on the housing list. The lawyer noted that the list of documents changes depending on the specific case.

When the issuance of compensation is canceled:

• if false information was submitted;
• if the serviceman and their family traveled abroad for a long assignment;
• if the serviceman was removed from the unit's list.

How to Purchase an Apartment at the State's Expense

Drobotova described the process for obtaining funds that the state can allocate to a serviceman and their family for purchasing their own housing:

1. first, submit the list of documents mentioned above;
2. the documents are reviewed within 10 days;
3. then, a Housing Conditions Assessment Act is issued;
4. a decision on the allocation of funds based on the Act is made within 5 days;
5. the serviceman or family member must open an account at "Oschadbank";
6. the state transfers the funds to the account;
7. the applicant must use the funds exclusively for purchasing housing — this is monitored by the bank. If this requirement is violated, the money must be returned: either voluntarily or through the court;
8. then a purchase agreement for the housing is concluded. The purchase location can be anywhere in Ukraine;
9. three months are allocated to complete the purchase. Of these, two months are for executing the purchase act, and one month is for formalizing property rights;
10. if the funds for military housing are not fully spent within a year, they are returned to the state. If the cost of the housing is less than the allocated amount, the remainder is also returned to the budget.

We remind you that on December 26, the media reported a decision from the Supreme Court, which clarified the difference between removal and exclusion from military registration and made a ruling regarding traveling abroad.