Subsidy does not save: Popenko announced a troubling record of communal debts.

SuperPostach announced that Ukrainians have debts of about 200 billion hryvnias for communal services.

Head of the Union of Consumers of Communal Services of Ukraine Oleg Popenko reported this fact, indicating that debts continue to grow.

Especially large sums of debt arise in connection with the payment for gas and heating.

'Only 71% of the population paid for communal services in 2021. Today this figure is 65-70%, but there are doubts,' emphasized Popenko.

According to Popenko, it is dangerous to raise tariffs for communal services, as it will lead to an increase in debt.

The expert stressed that this situation could lead to a mass resettlement of Ukrainians abroad, who will be looking for work and will have to pay for housing to preserve their property rights.

'If people can, they will sell their homes or ensure the necessity of communal services by disconnecting from central heating and water supply. This will become a trend in the future. This problem will be especially relevant in border towns and regions that are located on the front lines. There, people will leave their homes and, at best, move to regional centers. Small towns will be empty,' he explained.

Popenko also noted that 60% of the population at the brink of poverty receives a pension of 4000 hryvnias and are recipients of subsidies to compensate for communal expenses. However, he noted that subsidies are decreasing, and the state encourages citizens to earn more to pay for services from their personal funds.

Let's remember that the Pension Fund of Ukraine has introduced a new service for internally displaced persons.