Mapping Actors and Housing Market Analysis in Romania - Access to Housing for Ukrainian Refugees in Romania

Within the framework of the SMART UA project, two national research reports were developed to examine access to housing for Ukrainian refugees in Romania, focusing on both institutional responses and market dynamics.

The Housing Mapping Report provides an overview of the actors involved in supporting access to housing, including local authorities, non-governmental organizations and other social service providers. The mapping highlights that while a range of actors are engaged in housing-related support, active and sustained interventions remain limited, with most support being short-term or project-based.

The report identifies common types of housing support, such as temporary accommodation, information provision, mediation with landlords and limited financial assistance. However, the findings also reveal significant gaps in long-term housing solutions, as well as challenges related to limited housing availability, high rental costs and administrative or legal constraints.

The Housing Market Analysis Report complements this institutional mapping by examining refugees’ housing situations and experiences. The analysis shows a strong reliance on the private rental market, with refugees often bearing housing costs largely from their own resources. Financial pressure, unstable income and market volatility are identified as key factors affecting both access to and retention of housing.

The research further highlights systemic issues such as informal rental arrangements, discrimination and language barriers, which increase housing insecurity for refugees. At the same time, the reports document promising practices, including mediation between tenants and landlords, integrated housing and social support, and targeted assistance for vulnerable households.

Together, the two reports emphasize that housing stability is a prerequisite for broader social inclusion, including access to employment, education and healthcare. They underline the need for predictable, coordinated and long-term housing support mechanisms, supported by stronger institutional cooperation and policy-level interventions.

By generating robust evidence and highlighting both challenges and good practices, these reports contribute to the overall goals of SMART UA, supporting the development of more effective and sustainable housing responses for Ukrainian refugees in Romania.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.