Odessa is set to receive a state loan to meet essential city needs. Since 2023, Odessa's budget has lost over 3.9 billion hryvnias, redirected to the national treasury. Community expenses have increased by 29%, while revenues have only risen by 14%.
In wartime conditions, the city budget allocates significant resources for disaster recovery, shelter arrangements, social support for residents, military aid, and assistance to internally displaced persons.
These expenses are mandatory and continue to grow each year. To prevent a collapse in other vital sectors, the city council has decided to pursue local borrowing.
The Ministry of Finance has approved this plan, and this year, Odessa will receive a loan of 623.4 million hryvnias from a state bank.
This funding will be used for 70 urgent projects, including:
- “Healthcare” – 186.9 million hryvnias (modern equipment for hospitals, repairs to the infectious disease hospital's engineering networks);
- “Education” – 81.7 million hryvnias (shelter arrangements, modernization of protective structures, fire safety measures);
- “Road Management” – 125 million hryvnias (repair of streets, bus stops, and key overpasses);
- “Housing and Utilities” – 220.7 million hryvnias (capital repairs of stormwater systems, coastal protection works, updating drainage and elevator systems. Additionally – 110 million hryvnias for connecting cogeneration machines to ensure energy resilience of critical infrastructure);
- “Civil Defense” – 9 million hryvnias (purchase of specialized equipment for rescuers).
This is not about “future development”, but rather addressing urgent problems that are essential for maintaining normal life in Odessa during the war: from heating and water supply in homes to accessible healthcare, safe schools, and readiness for emergencies.
