On the half-ruined top floor of a block of flats in war-torn Irpin, near Kyiv, Mykhailo Kyrylenko proudly watches the new roof taking shape.

Over a hundred apartment blocks in Irpin – dubbed a “hero city” by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for holding off Russian invaders heading towards the capital – were badly damaged by shelling.

Now the onset of winter poses a different threat as repairs urgently need to be completed before temperatures drop.

With state and local resources tight, the 16,000 residents of Irpin, left homeless by the shelling, are in a race against time to get their homes ready.

“We didn’t wait for help,” said Kyrylenko, the chairman of the residents’ association of his building. “I understand that there is a war in the country, many people understand that.”

Its colorful block with gable walls painted yellow was hit by four shells in the first days of the invasion, which began on February 24. These blows destroyed the roof and burned down the top floor.

However, after weeks of fighting, Ukrainian forces retook the city, prompting 65-year-old Kyrylenko to mobilize residents of the building.

When government experts determined the top floor could be saved, he organized a vote with most in favor of rebuilding.

“People don’t have much money, but they have agreed” to donate funds to gradually restore the destroyed apartments, Kyrylenko, wearing a dark blue work overall, told AFP.

“If we waited for the state to help us, then … we absolutely had to take the fifth floor down, it would collapse,” he said.

His efforts quickly bore results.

About a dozen of the 40 apartments in the building remained permanently occupied. They have been reconnected to water, sewerage and electricity – although there is still no gas.

“The most important thing is to put the roof on so that rainwater and snow don’t get in,” Kyrylenko said, looking up at new wooden beams that were almost all in place now.

But bare brick walls on the sides and heaps of rubble underfoot showed the work yet to be done.

Residents themselves and charitable foundations have already contributed significant sums, but Kyrylenko said at least two million gryvnia ($53,000) more would be needed to winterize the building.

“Eight families now live here and will continue to do so,” Kyrylenko said.

On the fourth floor, Viktor Murygin’s apartment was only minimally damaged, only faint streaks were visible on light-colored walls after the rain.

Although less affected, 63-year-old Murygin contributed both money and manpower to the reconstruction.

It was a constant struggle against the elements, Murygin said.

“It was necessary to protect not only my apartment, but also the apartments below.”

And thanks to moisture-proof materials bought by charities, three homes have been saved so far.

While residents of many other Ukrainian cities hit by Russian shells desperately seek reconstruction funds, government and local officials are beginning to respond.

Prime Minister Denys Shmygal last week announced a government allocation of around Gryvnia 3.4 billion ($91 million) for “operational restoration works”.

But much more is needed, said Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn.

“We are appealing to the entire global community to help us with building materials and funding for reconstruction,” Markushyn wrote on social media earlier this month on Irpin’s annual City Day.

“This is the most difficult city day in Irpin’s history. We can’t celebrate because the occupiers have left ruins behind.”