The International Organisation for Migration Vilnius Office  (IOM Lithuania)will provide funds for war refugees from Ukraine to help cover part of their rent. "One of the most pressing issues facing Ukrainians is renting a home. Our research shows that as many as 73% of Ukrainians have difficulties finding long-term rental accommodation due to the high rent, the high cost of renting, the fact that they are asked to pay a deposit for several months and the fact that their income is insufficient, which is why we have decided to help by providing a partial refund. We hope that this measure will help Ukrainians to integrate more easily in Lithuania, especially those who are employed and trying to establish themselves", says Eitvydas Bingelis, Head of IOM Lithuania. 
According to a survey conducted by IOM Lithuania in spring this year, the majority of Ukrainians - 62% - rent housing on the open market. Compared to last year, this figure has increased by 11% - last year 51% of Ukrainians rented. Around 12% of Ukrainians did not pay rent because they were hosted by Lithuanian families. Another 10% stayed with friends or relatives. Almost half of the respondents (44%) said they managed to find accommodation on their own, but it is not easy to secure long-term rentals.
IOM Lithuania will provide lump sum payments to war refugees from Ukraine who arrived in Lithuania after 24 February 2022 to partially cover the first and last month of rent.
Parents with one or more children, families with three or more children, pregnant women, people over 60 years of age and families with disabled persons are welcome to apply. It is also important that they have a residence permit or a card issued by the Migration Department and a rental contract signed at least 40 working days before the application for support, for a period of at least 6 months.  The rental contract must be registered with the Registry Centre. "As an organisation, we aim to help the most vulnerable groups, people who find it particularly difficult to cope with the challenges they face, so we have additional criteria to make sure that the help goes to those who need it most", says Bingelis. IOM Lithuania will cover 70% of the 2-month rental price specified in the rental contract, but the amount of support will not exceed 504 euros per month. IOM Lithuania will also provide funds for the purchase of essential household goods for the rented accommodation for the beneficiary families.
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/e/Mr4qCf54Qq
More than 80 000 Ukrainians have now arrived in Lithuania. IOM Lithuania has been actively supporting war refugees since the beginning of the war. Over the past year, IOM Lithuania has assisted more than 11,000 people with various assistance measures. In addition, free psychological counselling in Ukrainian and Russian is regularly provided. Ukrainians in Lithuania can call 370 800 00 474, all calls are free of charge.