The great building crisis - Three measures to boost housing construction across party lines
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for young people to have experienced discrimination, harassment or abuse when looking for or renting housing. 7 percent of all young people state that they have been victimized in connection with looking for housing (Hyresgästföreningen, 2021). Therefore, we raised the issue in particular during a campaign in the spring of 2023 that resulted in an Installation Series, a lecture for young people, information materials and new collaborations.
Find out more about the law on housing discrimination and where to turn if you are a victim:
In the run-up to the 2022 elections, we asked the then parliamentary parties to answer 10 questions that affect young people's housing in different ways. The results were presented in our party ranking "What do the parties want to do for young people's housing?". With the ranking, we wanted to clarify for young voters how the parties have positioned themselves on various issues affecting the housing market and young people's opportunities to live safely.
FAST HOUSES is a concept we developed as a solution to the acute housing shortage among young people. The concept is that we build homes on temporary building permits, but not just any homes; the houses are modular homes that can be dismantled and moved when the building permit runs out. At the same time, they have the same lifespan as a normal house.
Together with Riksbyggen and the Swedish Construction Federation, we wanted to lower the threshold for young people to get involved in the housing policy debate. That's why we developed a concept guide to clarify words and concepts often used in the debate on housing or urban planning. The aim is to encourage the use of easy-to-understand language and to spread knowledge and create an inclusive environment.
Ta Plats is a democracy project that we initiated to give young people a voice early in the construction process and thus strengthen their local involvement. Through workshops and lectures, participants learned how they can influence local processes.
It is becoming increasingly common for employees of municipalities, housing companies and consultants in the urban development sector to be tasked with conducting dialogues with residents. Allowing residents to influence the physical development of the municipality produces good results. It creates both more efficient processes with decisions anchored at an early stage and improved results where several different perspectives are taken into account. Young people are a group that many find difficult to reach. There may be a need for methods specifically designed to include this group in a way that offers them real influence.
Ta Plats was implemented in two stages - in Gothenburg, participants had the opportunity to influence an apartment building in the area and in Stockholm we conducted a training series aimed at giving participants the tools to engage in urban planning.
The lessons learned from the project were compiled into a handbook to help municipalities and developers include young people in the housing planning process.
You can order the handbook by emailing info@jagvillhabostad.nu. Price: SEK 150 incl. postage. Payment is made by invoice.
We are happy to give lectures to young people and decision-makers on housing search, housing policy and organizing. Contact us at info@jagvillhabostad.nu for more information.
