Purpose: This overall intention by the city and municipality of Bergen is to provide residences for migrants and refugees by ensuring access to both social housing and private sector housing. Furthermore, the municipality controls that housing for refugees does not convert into urban segregation.
Stimulus/Rationale: According to the most recent data, 70% of the people granted a residence permit find their housing without the assistance of the municipality. However, even in these cases, the contracts are framed by a rental Agreement intervening between the landlord and the applicant.
In the case of migrants and refugees, who often have difficulties accessing housing, the municipality assist them in the process of finding housing and signing a rental Agreement.
Process: The Agreement is previously checked by the municipality to ensure the conformity of the rental. Regarding social housing provided by the private market, the municipality pays the guarantee deposit while the refugee signs an agreement with the community and commit to pay the rent.
Impact: The expected impact is to create inclusion for refugees and migrants in the Norweigan housing market and ensure residences for all.
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