In 2017, 392 children were evicted. But since then, the number has increased every year. Last year, 711 children were evicted, according to brand new figures from Kronofogden.
For many, the number of evictions is, says the City Mission, who receives and supports homeless people.
– Sweden has written on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and committed to follow it. It’s law. And it says that children are entitled to housing. Still, this happens, says Jonas Wihlstrand, secretary general of Sweden’s city missions.
The evictions have difficult consequences for the children, he says.
– They lose contact with the school, friends, the football team. And feel insecure, an insecurity that can follow them throughout. I have met many homeless adults who have told them that they had difficulty with the accommodation as a child, he says.
– It can be very fast to lose the home, too fast, says Jonas Wihlstrand.
Requires tightening of the law
Sweden’s city missions and the Tenants Association think that a tightening of the legislation is needed. The cooperation between Kronofogden, landlords and social services must be compulsory.
Then the social services can come in time with debt and budget counseling.
– In this way, we can prevent children from falling on the street, says the chairman of the Tenants Association, Marie Linder.
– The children’s right to a secure home cannot hang on to a landlord’s goodwill or if they happen to live in a municipality that has chosen to work actively with evidence prevention work, she says.
Preferably would like to have to evict someone
According to Åsa Schelin, an expert on housing issues at Sweden’s public benefit, landlords would prefer to have to evict someone, at least when children than involved. The organization brings together hosts who have one million rental properties.
– A single deleted child is one too much, she says.
Landlords can sometimes arrange a payment plan for tenants who are late with the rent. The hosts also often seek contact with, for example, the municipalities’ budget and debt advisers.
But to force landlords to cooperate with the municipality and the social services, as the Tenants Association wants, she does not believe that.
– It is better to support and encourage a collaboration that already works well in most cases.
The most important thing right now is that the state housing allowance is changing, according to Åsa Schelin. Today, only families with children and single people for 29 years can receive the grant, which is too narrow, according to Åsa Schelin who thinks that more people should be able to apply.