New Law in Hungary Puts Ukrainian Refugees at Risk of Homelessness

A recent law enacted in Hungary poses a significant threat to thousands of Ukrainian refugees, potentially forcing them onto the streets or back to Ukraine. The regulation limits state support to Ukrainians hailing from specific regions directly impacted by the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia's invasion. Currently, thirteen regions are designated for eligibility, with the Hungarian government set to update this list monthly. The exact number of the 31,000 Ukrainians residing in Hungary who will be affected remains unclear. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about the plight of the most vulnerable groups, particularly the Roma ethnic minority from the Transcarpathian region. Many of these individuals are currently living in shelters that are now at risk of closure. Compounding their difficulties, some are dual citizens of Ukraine and Hungary, which has led to refusals of assistance in other EU countries based on their Hungarian citizenship status. The UN refugee agency has estimated that the law change could result in 2,000 to 3,000 refugees losing access to subsidized accommodation. The UNHCR highlighted that many of these individuals face significant challenges in finding alternative housing due to financial constraints and landlords' reluctance to rent to them. The new legislation, which alters previous laws established in 2022, restricts state support to those whose last official address in Ukraine was in areas directly affected by military operations, jeopardizing the integration efforts made thus far.