SMART Housing: report on a Capacity Building Workshop

A capacity-building workshop called ‘Az ukrán menekültek lakhatási helyzete’ (The housing situation of Ukrainian refugees) was held on 22 January 2026 in Budapest, at the venue known as Párbeszéd Háza (House of Dialogue). JRS Hungary organised the event with the Lutheran Diaconia and Szociometrum, and more than 50 guests attended. Participants in the event included Ukrainian refugees and representatives of various organisations and institutions, including UNHCR, the Catholic Caritas in Hungary, Terre des Hommes, the Hungarian Red Cross or Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE-TK).

Following a cordial welcome and a concise overview of the SMART EU project, the researchers from Szociometrum, Judit Zatykó and Róbert Schumann, presented the findings of their report, which concentrated on the accommodation circumstances of Ukrainian refugees.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion involving a number of professionals, including Balázs Krivácsy, a social worker from Utcáról Lakásba Egyesület (ULE – From Streets to Home Association), Tamás Kiss, a landlord, Gyöngyi Lehoczky, an expert on loans and credit, and Judit Kemecsey, a coordinator from Budapesti Módszertani Szociális Központ és Intézményei (BMSZKI – Methodological Social Centre and Institution of Budapest). The panel discussion focused on the experiences of these professionals in the housing market, being followed by a shorter panel discussion with refugees from Ukraine, moderated by Natalia Kvasha.

Following a brief period of lunch, the event proceeded with the afternoon’s activities. The participants were divided into smaller groups and were tasked with analysing a case study based on the following questions: what is the issue in this case? What are the root causes of the challenge? What is the most effective solution, and who is responsible for implementing it? The studies revealed a variety of typical situations, including a mother with small children, a father residing in Ukraine, a traditional Romani family, and a family with Hungarian-Ukrainian dual citizenship, among others. Following the analysis, each group was required to present their findings and recommendations, which were then elaborated by Szociometrum.

The key issues identified in the research of Szociometrum were as follows:

–         the affordability crisis;

–         the inadequate supply in the housing market;

–         the project-based, uncertain financial support system;

–         the complex integrational barriers, such as the lack of language skills or size/type of family; and

–         a widespread distrust from local communities as being reported by a cluster of refugees, particularly families with small children or with a Romani background.

The results of the research study were confirmed during the course of the workshop, with the participants placing particular emphasis on the significance of affordability and the lack of adequate housing options.

The recommendations outlined the necessity for the establishment of a normative and reliable system of support that is not project-based. They further emphasised the imperative for the initiation and expansion of a state-supported rental agency, as well as the provision of complex services by organisations employing a holistic approach. These services should encompass social work, intensive language classes, and support in labour market integration. Finally, the recommendations underscored the importance of enhancing the coordination of collaboration between NGOs, municipalities, and governmental actors.