Tarasivka, Ukraine, Oct 16 (AP) The ongoing Russian invasion has torn families apart, leaving millions of Ukrainians displaced both domestically and abroad. With fierce battles raging in the eastern regions, refugees face overburdened shelters, temporary accommodations, and creeping despair.
About 400 miles from the front lines, a special settlement near Kyiv offers a glimpse of stability: Hansen Village. Built with private initiative, this community provides housing and personal refuge for 2,000 individuals, mostly from occupied areas. It features amenities like a school, health clinic, swimming pool, and sports facilities.
Conceived by Utah real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen, the initiative has led to over USD 140 million being invested in Ukrainian housing since 2022. Hansen, at 72, is determined to expand his humanitarian efforts.
A New Mission
Hansen’s commitment to Ukraine took root amid personal upheaval. In 2020, he divested from Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake amid allegations of racist remarks. Despite denying the claims, the experience compelled him to rethink his life's mission.
“It was a painful process, but it taught me humility,” Hansen stated. “That humility brought me to Ukraine. Witnessing loss on such a massive scale, I felt an obligation to act. This isn’t charity, but a responsibility. If you have the ability to build, then build.”
Hansen currently spearheads over a dozen projects in Ukraine, including the expansion of Hansen Village, financial aid to families and seniors, and support for prosthetic clinics. He also aims to establish a cemetery for displaced individuals and a nationwide affordable housing initiative.
Ukraine’s housing crisis is severe, with almost a third of its citizens displaced, including 4.5 million internally displaced individuals. Around Dnipro, volunteers are converting derelict structures into shelters for refugees from war-torn Donbas. One facility—a disused Soviet dormitory—now shelters 149 senior citizens in their twilight years.
These efforts are sustained by a complex network of donations, encompassing foreign aid, local charities, and private contributions, assembling cash, volunteer labor, and necessities to respond to urgent needs. “We’re constantly appealing for support, explaining why each small donation matters,” said Veronika Chumak, who oversees one such center. “But our goal is to renew people’s hope.”
Valentina Khusak, 86, evacuated from Myrnohrad after Russian shelling severed utilities, expressed gratitude: “Perhaps we’ll return home one day, but having places where the elderly feel respected is crucial.”
A Nation Under Strain
Ukraine’s government is beleaguered, struggling to manage shelters and repairs amidst relentless infrastructure attacks. A UN assessment projected that by late 2024, 13% of Ukrainian homes would be either damaged or destroyed, with reconstruction estimated at USD 524 billion—nearly triple Ukraine’s annual economic output.
Since June, Ukraine has relocated over 100,000 more citizens from the eastern regions, expanding its shelters. Newly displaced individuals receive an emergency government subsidy of USD 260.
Yevhen Tuzov, who facilitated shelter for thousands during Mariupol’s siege, remarked that many feel overlooked. “Frequently, six strangers share a single cramped room. For the elderly, this is demeaning,” he noted. “Hansen’s efforts to build villages are commendable—why can’t we replicate this on a broader scale?”
'People Here Don't Need Miracles'
Hansen initiated his efforts following a visit to Ukraine in early 2022. Initially, he delivered monetary aid to families before leveraging his expertise in modular housing construction.
Mykyta Bogomol, 16, resides in foster care accommodations within Hansen Village, having fled the occupied Kherson region. “Life here is safer,” he shared. “During the occupation, Russians coerced children into attending their schools. Now, I find a semblance of peace.”
Hansen routinely visits Ukraine, while managing his initiatives remotely from Salt Lake City, coordinating aid efforts and advocating with U.S. lawmakers.
“Building homes has always been my passion, but nothing has resonated with me more deeply than this mission,” Hansen declared. “The people here don’t seek miracles—they need shelter, security, and unwavering support.”
A Fraction of What's Needed
In the previous year, Hansen sold a portion of his business holdings for USD 14 million, channeling all proceeds to his Ukrainian projects.
Nonetheless, despite his significant contributions, Hansen acknowledges they meet only a minor fraction of the colossal demand. With entire towns uninhabitable, private aid provides essential but limited relief.
Hansen has personally met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed gratitude for Hansen’s dedication to vulnerable communities. Later this year, Hansen is set to receive one of Ukraine’s highest civilian honors—an accolade he regards with humility.
“I don’t seek acknowledgment for myself,” Hansen emphasized. “If this recognition serves to bring greater visibility to the plight of the displaced and elderly, then it has true value. Otherwise, it’s mere decoration.”
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