The city of Odessa is set to receive a state loan to address critically important needs. Since 2023, the Odessa budget has encountered a shortfall exceeding 3.9 billion UAH, as these funds were redirected to the national budget. Community expenditures have surged by 29%, while revenues have only increased by 14%. 

In wartime conditions, the city budget allocates significant resources for mitigating the effects of destruction, creating shelters, providing social support to residents, and assisting military personnel and displaced individuals. 

These expenses are mandatory and are rising each year. To prevent a collapse in other areas of life, the city council has decided on local borrowing. 

The Ministry of Finance has approved this plan, and this year, Odessa will receive a loan of 623.4 million UAH from the state bank. 

These funds will be allocated to 70 urgent projects, including:

• «Healthcare» – 186.9 million UAH (modern equipment for hospitals, repair of engineering networks in the infectious diseases hospital);
• «Education» – 81.7 million UAH (creation of shelters, modernization of protective structures, fire safety measures);  
• «Road Management» – 125 million UAH (repair of streets, stops, and key overpasses); 
• «Housing and Utilities» – 220.7 million UAH (capital repairs of stormwater collectors, coastal protection works, upgrading drainage systems and elevators. Separately – 110 million UAH for connecting cogeneration machines to ensure energy resilience of critical infrastructure); 
• «Civil Protection» – 9 million UAH (purchase of special equipment for rescuers). 

This is not development «for the future», but the resolution of pressing issues, without which it is impossible to ensure a normal life in Odessa during the war: from heating and water in homes to accessible healthcare, safe schools, and preparedness for emergencies.