The night shelter for homeless people at 3a Kyrylivska Street, operated by the Dzherelo Centre for Social Services, is undergoing significant renovations. These include replacing windows and doors, creating an accessible entrance for people with disabilities, installing an external elevator, and upgrading the ramp.
Renovation and adaptation work is ongoing at the shelter, aiming to improve the space for homeless individuals and internally displaced persons who have ended up on the streets. The upgrades are focused on creating a barrier-free, safe, and comfortable environment for all shelter users.
The first phase of the renovation includes the refurbishment of the second and third floors: replacing windows and doors, repairing and furnishing the rooms and kitchen, constructing an accessible entrance, retrofitting the ramp, and installing an external elevator.
Maksym Lishchenko, Head of the Social Work Branch for Homeless People at Dzherelo Centre, explained that the second and third floors have been vacated for the renovation works. Teams of professionals are updating electrical systems and working on the windows, doors, and flooring.
“On the third floor, they are completing the electrical wiring, have adjusted doorways to meet accessibility standards, measured and ordered new windows, and ordered the external elevator. Renovation also continues on the second floor, which previously housed storage rooms — we plan to convert this space into a social dormitory for homeless individuals,” said Maksym Lishchenko.
Currently, all doorways have been adjusted to the correct height and width, window frames have been dismantled, and preparations for new installations are underway. The walls are being primed and plastered.
In total, four rooms on the second floor, six rooms on the third floor, as well as shower and toilet facilities, are planned for renovation. All spaces will be accessible for persons with disabilities.
The total cost of the renovation is approximately €150,000. The elevator installation alone accounts for €30,000. The rest of the funding is allocated to building repairs, furnishing, and equipment. The project is being implemented with support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ukraine.
The night shelter at Dzherelo Centre, located at 3a Kyrylivska Street, currently provides overnight accommodation for more than 50 people each evening. Those who have lost their homes can come to the shelter for dinner, to shower, do laundry, and receive clean warm clothing and footwear. Basic medical assistance is available, and social workers help with document recovery, job search, and other forms of support.
To improve shelter conditions, last year Dzherelo Centre, with the support of donors, replaced 13 window units on the first floor, a broken boiler, and old radiators. Water heaters were installed to ensure a constant supply of hot water.
With assistance from the city, the shelter also underwent a major overhaul of its ventilation system, which improved air circulation and eliminated unpleasant odors in rooms on the first and second floors. One million UAH from the city’s development budget was allocated for this purpose.
Additionally, with donor support, the shelter was equipped with three washing machines and two dryers. In future plans, Dzherelo Centre aims to launch a daytime support service for people without permanent housing and to implement reintegration activities to help them transition back into society.
