Developer Creates Hope for Displaced Ukrainians with New Homes

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has displaced millions, leaving families in dire situations. Amid this crisis, a new initiative aims to provide stable housing for those affected. Hansen Village, located approximately 400 miles from the front lines near Kyiv, offers a refuge for around 2,000 individuals, primarily from occupied territories. The settlement features modular homes that provide personal space and essential amenities, such as a swimming pool, basketball court, health clinic, and school.

This project is spearheaded by Dell Loy Hansen, a real estate developer from Utah, who has invested over $140 million in building and repairing homes across Ukraine since 2022. At 72 years old, Hansen is determined to expand his efforts. His involvement in Ukraine began after a public fallout in 2020, when he sold his Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake, following allegations of racist comments. Although he denied these claims, he stated that the experience instilled in him a sense of humility and a newfound mission. “I went through something painful, but it gave me humility,” Hansen remarked. “That humility led me to Ukraine.”

Hansen has been actively involved in various projects in Ukraine, including the expansion of Hansen Village and support for a prosthetics clinic. He is also planning to establish a cemetery to honor the displaced and create a not-for-profit affordable housing program aimed at addressing the national housing crisis. According to recent estimates, nearly one in three Ukrainians have fled their homes, with around 4.5 million registered as internally displaced.

Efforts to provide shelter are ongoing, particularly around the eastern city of Dnipro, where volunteers are converting old buildings into makeshift shelters. One such facility, a deteriorating Soviet-era dormitory, now accommodates 149 elderly residents, many of whom have been evacuated from war-torn areas. Funding for these initiatives comes from a mix of foreign aid, local charities, and individual contributions. Veronika Chumak, who manages one of the centers, described her efforts as “begging,” explaining the necessity of every small donation to meet urgent needs. “But we keep going. Our mission is to restore people’s sense of life,” she stated.

The conditions for many displaced individuals remain challenging. Valentina Khusak, an 86-year-old woman who fled her home in Myrnohrad, shared her experiences of loss and uncertainty. “Maybe we’ll return home, maybe not,” she reflected. “What matters is that places like this exist — where the old and lonely are treated with warmth and respect.”

Despite these grassroots efforts, Ukraine’s government struggles to fund shelters and repairs, as the relief budget faces immense pressure from continuous missile and drone attacks on infrastructure. By late 2024, an assessment led by the United Nations indicated that 13% of Ukrainian homes had been damaged or destroyed, with national reconstruction costs projected at $524 billion, nearly triple the country’s annual economic output. Since June, more than 100,000 individuals have been evacuated from the east, with new arrivals receiving emergency government payments of $260.

Yevhen Tuzov, who assisted thousands in finding shelter during the siege of Mariupol, expressed concerns over the living conditions many face. “Sometimes six strangers must live together in one small room,” he noted, highlighting the humiliation experienced by elderly individuals in such cramped circumstances.

Hansen’s journey in Ukraine began with financial aid to families and evolved into the construction of modular housing. One resident, Mykyta Bogomol, a 16-year-old who fled the southern Kherson region, described his life at Hansen Village as “good,” contrasting it with the terror he faced during the occupation. “Here, I finally feel safe,” he said.

Hansen remains committed to his mission, visiting Ukraine several times a year and participating in daily video calls to coordinate aid and track developments in the conflict. “I’ve built homes all my life, but nothing has meant more to me than this,” he stated. He also expressed that the people do not require miracles, just “a roof, safety, and someone who doesn’t give up on them.”

Last year, he sold part of his business for $14 million, directing all proceeds towards Ukraine. Despite his considerable contributions, the need remains vast. With entire towns rendered uninhabitable, private aid, while vital, cannot cover all the necessities. Hansen has met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who acknowledged his efforts in supporting vulnerable communities. Later this year, Hansen will receive one of Ukraine’s highest civilian honors, which he humbly states is not for himself but for the visibility it may bring to the plight of the elderly and displaced. “I don’t need recognition,” he concluded. “If this award makes the elderly and displaced more visible, then it means something. Otherwise, it’s just a medal.”

For ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine, follow AP’s reports at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.