Ukrainian refugees ordered to leave university dorm as building was sold last year

163 refugees from Ukraine are currently living in two dormitories located at Kamionka Street in Kraków. Among them there are 70 children, while the majority of adults are women. In the first week of August they were informed they need move out by the end of the month. TVN24 reporter Marcin Kwaśny, who is on the case, pointed out after speaking with the refugees that - in their opinion - the information had been delivered with too short a notice for them be able to prepare to relocate.

According to local media, Jagiellonian University told the refugees that their their eviction was being caused by the end of financing of the support.

"The end of financing and closing of the dormitory means that you will have to find a new place of residence, income source, and relocate by August 31, 2022," such letter is said to have been sent to the refugees, "Gazeta Krakowska" reported.

Lesser Poland Voivode spokesperson Joanna Paździo assures there is money, but it's necessary to submit a request. She also confirmed that the Voivodeship Office had been informed about the university's decision. "At the moment we are updating our database, that is waiting for the school to declare which rooms and in which dorms will be available. In order to ensure flexibility of our and the university's actions, we've decided to amend the contracts one step at a time. Next ones will be short-term amendments, to allow the school to quickly backtrack from such moves, as we see the situation is changing," Paździo explained.

Jagiellonian University spokesperson Adrian Ochalik told TVN24 that the dormitories located at Kamionka Street had been put up for sale. The new owner is to be granted access starting October. "Last year we had put these buildings up for sale, we found a buyer in October. Then a need arose to make these building available," Ochalik said. "We will have to gradually dislodge these people, so that we can find space for them possibly in our new dormitories," he added.

The spokesman added that 501 refugees were staying at six JU dormitories in Kraków area.

A meeting with the university chancellor regarding the refugees eviction is set to take place on Thursday at the dormitory. TVN24 reporter Marcin Kwaśny has learned that the JU rector cancelled their vacation due to this situation. "Jagiellonian University has assured us they would speak with each of these families and make sure to find alternative place for these people," Kwaśny added.

The volunteers helping the refugees say such a dynamic change is a huge problem for them. They reminded that most of the refugees were employed and signed declarations regarding duty to pay for accomodation, but they would only want to know the extent of the costs.

"All children have found places in nurseries, kindergartens and schools, they have been assimilated. It's quite traumatic for them to be forced to leave new 'old' places withing a few weeks and meet new children from the start," one of the voluteers said.

"I came here with four kids aged 2-8 years old and my husband who is an Orthodox priest. My mother-in-law came with us too. We would like to rent a flat, we're looking for one. But we are experiencing problems," says Valeria, one of the refugees living in Kamionka Street dorms.

"Whenever we find something for our large family, the owners ask how many children we have. When I say four, they say no. Both in Kraków and around the city," she added.