Displaced Ukrainians living in the northeastern region of Grand-Est, France, have recently received notices instructing them to vacate their subsidized accommodation by the end of October, sparking concerns among the refugee community.
The decision comes as part of the French government’s policy to transition these individuals out of temporary housing and move toward integrating them into society more independently.
Among those affected is 41-year-old Olesia Bolhunovska, who fled Kharkiv, Ukraine, in March 2022 with her mother and young son. Bolhunovska described the notification she received on October 7 as a “shock” and a source of “panic.”
Her family, who initially settled in Thionville, has relied on accommodation arranged by an aid organization since their arrival. “I didn’t think the conflict would last this long,” she explained, reflecting on the war’s prolonged impact on her hometown.
Since late September, numerous displaced Ukrainians in Grand-Est have received similar letters, instructing them to vacate their housing by October 31, just ahead of France’s winter eviction moratorium.
According to Ukrainian community organizations, other regions have managed the transition more smoothly, helping families find alternative housing options without significant distress.
However, in eastern France, the process has been marred by uncertainty and insufficient support for integration. The eviction notices have been issued primarily by local housing associations, which claim they are acting on directives from the French government.
In some cases, the letters explicitly state that refugees have not made adequate efforts toward professional integration and self-sufficiency.
One such letter from the Reception and Social Reintegration Association in Meurthe-et-Moselle read, “All the necessary steps toward professional integration and autonomy have not been sufficiently diligently taken in order to include you in an overall integration program in the area.”
The letter further advised recipients to seek their own accommodation, adding that emergency housing might be available, albeit limited.
Currently, displaced Ukrainians benefit from a temporary residence permit within the European Union, granting them access to various support services in France, including subsidized rental housing.
The accommodation, made possible through government subsidies, allows aid organizations to lease apartments for refugees temporarily. French authorities, however, have clarified that this measure is not meant to serve as a long-term solution.
The Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture noted, “This transitional measure is accompanied by a commitment to do everything in their power to find a permanent housing solution, as it is not the role of the state to provide permanent care for these people.”
Despite the efforts to assist displaced Ukrainians in finding more stable housing, only a fraction of the affected population has been able to secure an alternative arrangement.
Out of approximately 1,600 individuals receiving aid in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, only 591 continue to benefit from the housing program, spread across 228 residences.
The recent directives have heightened anxieties among the refugee community, with many families facing an uncertain future amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As the eviction deadline looms, affected individuals and aid organizations are calling for more comprehensive integration efforts and support to ensure that vulnerable people are not left without shelter.
