The system of social care in Chernivtsi is on the stage of development; it needs an optimal structure, main functions, and principal directions on different levels.

The Department of Social Care of the City Council and 3 district divisions of the social security function in the city today, as well as the Municipal Center for social and medical assistance to lonely citizens TURBOTA (Care) and other establishments.

The living subsidies program works to protect families with low income from the increase of costs on housing and communal services. About 37% of families gained subsidies on the payment of housing and communal services.

The Municipal Center TURBOTA ("Care") takes an important place in the system of social security of population; it provided assistance to 935 people, including 360 during 7 months of 2002.

The major efforts of the TURBOTA Center structural subdivisions are aimed at rendering social, medical, humanitarian and different types of nonstandard aid, in the majority of cases at home.

The Municipal Complex Program "Protection" which is aimed at social security, material support of city dwellers that need it works in Chernivtsi for three years. Such a program is also developed for five years.

Since July 2000 the Citizens Association "NARODNA DOPOMOHA" (People Aid) provides charitable meals for needy people in Chernivtsi. Such aid was rendered to 630 citizens on total amount of $10,000.

The Department of Social Care and NARODNA DOPOMOHA conduct work on the rehabilitation of persons without permanent place of living. They started charitable meals for them from November 1999 and from May 2000 they worked on creation of the social-psychological rehabilitation center for such category of population in Chernivtsi.

The practice of material support for the most socially unprotected people by means of rendering to them local exemptions, i.e. compensations of costs on housing and communal services, the repair of home appliances and other services to lonely citizens and invalids, linen washing, non-interest loans to large families and the families of invalids is greatly appreciated by the population of the city.