A new law came into force in Hungary on Wednesday, significantly limiting the scope of subsidized housing available to Ukrainian refugees. As per the legislation, only those refugees from areas identified as being most affected by the Russian invasion will be eligible for long-term housing support. Notably, this law excludes refugees from regions like Transcarpathia, which is home to many Hungarian-Ukrainian dual citizens.
This new measure has sparked controversy, particularly among humanitarian organizations. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee criticized the government for the lack of a public hearing prior to the law’s enactment. They also highlighted the short six-day period given to eligible refugees for application submission. Moreover, the government ceased financial support to local authorities for accommodating refugees from less affected areas, which previously amounted to 5000 forints (approximately $14.20 USD) per daily head.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged the Hungarian government to reconsider this decision. The agency warned that the new regulation might leave 2000-3000 Ukrainian refugees homeless and has advocated for transitional measures to prevent homelessness and destitution.
The immediate impact of this legislation has already been felt in areas such as Koc, Komárom-Esztergom county, where 120 Ukrainian refugees have reportedly been left homeless, according to Euronews.
Under the new law, most newly arriving Ukrainian refugees will be limited to 30 days of subsidized housing, unless they come from severely war-torn areas and can credibly prove it. Exceptions are made for specific categories, such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and children with their primary caretakers. However, as the Hungarian Helsinki Committee points out, these provisions could lead to the separation of families with multiple caretakers.