In the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has displaced millions and scattered families across the nation and beyond, a privately-built settlement near Kyiv stands as a beacon of hope. Hansen Village, located approximately 400 miles west of the front lines, provides stable housing, personal space, and a sense of dignity to 2,000 displaced individuals, many of whom have fled occupied territories. The village, equipped with amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball court, health clinic, and school, was established by Dell Loy Hansen, a Utah-based real estate developer who has invested over $140 million in building and repairing homes across Ukraine since 2022. At 72, Hansen remains committed to expanding his efforts, driven by a sense of responsibility rather than charity. His projects include expanding Hansen Village, supporting elderly individuals and families, funding a prosthetics clinic, and planning a cemetery to honor displaced people. Hansen’s journey to Ukraine followed a public reckoning in 2020, when he sold his Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake, amid allegations of racist comments. Although he denied the claims, the experience instilled in him a sense of humility and a new mission. Ukraine’s housing crisis is dire, with nearly one-third of its population displaced, including 4.5 million internally displaced persons. The government struggles to fund shelters and repairs, as the cost of national reconstruction is estimated at $524 billion. Private initiatives like Hansen’s, though vital, remain a fraction of what is needed. Hansen’s work has earned him recognition, including an upcoming civilian honor from Ukraine, which he views as a means to bring visibility to the plight of the displaced and elderly. His efforts, while not a miracle, provide essential stability and hope to those who have lost everything.
US developer builds homes for displaced Ukrainians, offering hope despite war and crisis
