This report outlines the integration needs of people displaced from Ukraine who live in private accommodation in Poland.

To produce this report IOM conducted the 'Integration and Social Inclusion Survey' between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2024, among a sample of 1 371 adult Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022. Of every 4 respondents to the survey, 3 lived outside collective accommodation centres: 53% rented a flat or house on their own, 5% rented with other Ukrainians, 14% were hosted in private homes, and 2% stayed in accommodation provided by employers. The most common unmet needs reported by these people were:

1. financial needs (reported by 34%);
2. employment assistance needs (32%);
3. medical needs related to access to healthcare (21%).

Financial needs were most commonly reported by those hosted by relatives or close friends (43%), and least commonly by those living in rented accommodation (27%) or in accommodation provided by their employer (7%). More than half of the respondents said that they would not be able to cover an unexpected but vital expense of PLN 1 000 (EUR 232) - 80% of those hosted by Poles, 63% of those living with relatives or friends, 37% of those living in accommodation provided by their employer and 36% of those living in rented flats or houses. It should be noted, however, that most Ukrainians hosted by other people or in employer-provided accommodation did not bear rent expenses.

Those hosted by relatives and close friends were the most likely to report a need for employment support (40%). Their employment rate was found to be the lowest - only 27%. The highest employment rates were observed among those who rented private accommodation: 66% of those who rented on their own and 53% of those who co-rented with other refugees were employed. 

Medical needs were most commonly reported by those hosted by a local family (42%), while such needs were less frequent among those renting privately. Approximately 60% of those requiring medical attention in the past 3 months faced barriers to accessing health services, including especially long waiting times for appointments, language barriers and fees for care, medication or transportation.

The highest levels of unmet needs were reported by those who lived with a local family (non-relatives), with 94% declaring at least one unmet need. Additionally, those living in hosted accommodation were more likely to experience difficulties with sight, mobility, hearing, communication or self-care: 18% of hosted households having at least one member facing such difficulties.