UKRAINE 2019 UNHCR PARTICIPATRY ASSESSMENT slates and insulation, as well as replaced damaged windows; however, some houses need more extensive repairs. In Avdiivka, participants complained about the high prices of running water, which they said is more expensive than in Kyiv and Sloviansk. As there is low water pressure, it does not reach the top floors of multi-story buildings. Usually, participants informed that running water is available only for several hours per day. After 10 p.m. water is not available. There is low voltage of electricity in settlements along the contact line, which results in damaged appliances and creates risks of spontaneous combustion. Participants complained that it is often not possible to use a washing machine due to low pressure of running water and low voltage. In winter it is difficult to find wood or coal. Participants said they had to collect wood or use nutshells to heat their rented houses. Most participants said they had difficulties getting through the winter, since the price of coal, wood and utilities was not affordable. Many rely on humanitarian assistance in the winter. In Krasnohorivka, water in the pipeline is of technical quality, not purified. Gas supply to the town was cut in 2014 because the hostilities damaged the gas line. No wood is available in the forested areas. Coal price is costly. Many said that they survived winter because of humanitarian winterization programs. It was reported that persons without documents were not included into programs of humanitarian agencies. In Pisky, residents complained they could not obtain documentation to prove the conflict-related damage to their homes. They wanted such documentation to ask for assistance or compensation. They had applied to various authorities, including the head of the district administration of Yasynuvatsky district. They were told that architects cannot visit the settlement since it is too dangerous; therefore, they cannot obtain any documentation. They are aware that such documentation was issued in other settlements located in close proximity to the contact line. In the three focus group discussions held in Sviatohirsk with IDPs sheltered in collective centres, there were many complaints of poor living conditions. In Sviati Hory, residents said there was little hot water and the rooms were cold. They complained of tensions with administration of the center and said they faced threats of eviction. In Kurakhove, residents of the collective centre said conditions were inadequate. Obsolete flooring, poor insulation and sanitation conditions, as well as insufficient heating in winter, negatively affect the residents. Poor hygiene conditions were another source of complaint, as there is only one bathroom functioning in the building. In Mariupol, some IDPs mentioned that they do not apply to the municipality’s social housing programme because they are not sure whether the accommodation they receive will satisfy their living standards (i.e. their apartments have varying conditions, and not all of them have basic furniture). According to the social housing in Mariupol programme terms, an applicant will be able to learn about the location of an apartment and its conditions only after being selected for the programme. Participants noted differences between the social housing programmes in Mariupol and Pokrovsk. Mariupol city does not consider a family’s low income as a deciding factor when selecting beneficiaries for social housing or setting rental terms with the beneficiaries. In Pokrovsk, the municipality bases its decision on the family’s income. If a family’s income increases after a year of residing in social housing, the family might be excluded from the program. These provisions discourage IDP families from seeking official employment. IDPs also complained about the need to pay for the utilities at home in NGCA. They said that if they accumulate debts for utilities in NGCA, the local courts can authorize the seizure of the apartment. Participants in southern Donetsk oblast said they could solve their housing problems in GCA if they could sell their property in NGCA. However, this is not currently realistic for two reasons. First, paper work is burdensome as it is necessary to conclude a sales agreement in GCA using a notary. Second, prices for property in NGCA are very low, so the amount would not be sufficient to procure anything in GCA. 15