ABSTRACT
The loss of home emerged as one of the most pressing challenges for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, deeply tied to feelings of belonging and comfort. The forced internal displacement since 2014 exposed critical shortcomings in Ukraine's housing infrastructure, including a lack of social housing, a strained rental market, and heightened social tensions and stereotypes towards residents from occupied territories. This chapter argues that the loss of home represents an emotional epicentre shaped by displacement, longing, and uncertainty. We also examine IDPs’ experiences in securing housing and advocating for their rights, with a critical focus on how neoliberal housing policies have shaped their everyday lives. Despite systemic barriers, displaced individuals demonstrated agency through voluntary initiatives and local support. Ultimately, housing remained a decisive factor in shaping IDPs’ decisions about resettlement in government-controlled areas of Ukraine.
