Housing solutions for new arrivals – A case--‐based comparison of municipalities’ management of housing solutions

Abstract: Many municipalities are finding it difficult to fulfill the task of receiving new arrivals and provide them with a home. What at first may seem to be a fast and easy solution is in reality a short--‐term and expensive quick fix. The aim of the thesis is to identify and compare  the today known short--‐ and long--‐term strategies for municipalities to settle new arrivals in Sweden. The current housing crisis, in combination with the new law, "lag om mottagande av vissa nyanlanda invandrare for bosattning", means that many municipalities are finding it difficult to handle the situation that has now occurred with the large and rapid increase of new arrivals. The law means that Sweden's municipalities will now receive a distribution of the new arrivals in accordance with the law on the reception of certain newly arrived immigrants for settlement, also know as the "residence law". Through a study of the market has six housing solutions been selected and studied. In addition, we have chosen to study seven different municipalities and management strategies when it comes to settlement, and those that have public housing; Botkyrka, Upplands Vasby, Huddinge and Stockholm, and those that do not have any public housing; Danderyd Taby and Nacka. To calculate and discuss the different  ccommodation solutions has five parameters been valued; initial investment, possible rent setting, timing, sustainability, durability and how it affects a declining housing shortage. Based on the parameters it was shown that "kombohus" was the main option, and buying and renting modular housing was the weakest option. Important parameters for assessing the municipality's work and strategies was how work is organized and coordinated, how they plan in a long term and how far they have come with a work in progress. The conclusion is that there is not a specific housing solution that can solve the housing problem for new arrivals. It is important for each municipality to have a combination of options to solve this puzzle.