Heimstaden, the largest private rental housing provider in the Czech Republic, has offered the government the first 500 apartments for families from war-torn Ukraine. They can comfortably accommodate up to 2000 people. The company’s spokeswoman Kateřina Piechowicz announced today. Heimstaden owns more than 42,500 flats, mainly in the Moravian-Silesian Region.
“Heimstaden is also trying to equip the offered flats, cooperating with leading furniture retailers. The company has already prepared the first flats for the families of its employees coming from Ukraine,” their spokeswoman said.
Jan Rafaj, CEO of the Czech branch of Heimstaden, said that the government had already been contacted on the first day of the war in Ukraine. The company is in contact with the Ministry of the Interior and the Administration of Refugee Facilities.
“We are trying to create a system of the most effective mutual coordination so that all those who run away with their families before the war and need housing get to the apartments we offer as soon as possible,” said Rafaj. If more flats were needed, heimstaden said it would be able to offer hundreds more.
“Heimstaden employs twenty Ukrainian artisans. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, it offered them maximum and immediate assistance,” said Piechowicz.
According to Rafaj, it is paramount for the company to get the families of its employees into the Czech Republic and take care of them. “We took a bus to the border with Ukraine over the weekend, but the security situation did not allow us to transport more than three families. It is not possible to withdraw them from the east now, but we are still looking for ways to do so,” Rafaj said.
The company’s employees equipped 20 flats for the women and children of their colleagues from Ukraine over the weekend. In addition to basic furniture and utensils, they bought food and hygiene items for them. “Heimstaden also offers fast accommodation to Ukrainian families of other companies from the Moravian-Silesian region, with which it cooperates,” their spokeswoman added.
Source: Heimstaden CZ and CTK
Photo: Heimstaden CZ
