While some are predicting the downfall of the villages, the Government has really tried to lure people to the villages with, among other things, the cancellation of student loans, free kindergarten and free ferry. But what happens when someone actually wants to move out of the city and into the countryside? Ida Sagmo Arnesen and Gustav Halmøy heard the government’s plea. They got an education, started a family and chose to move to their home village in Hamarøy municipality in Nordland. Gustav had got a job and the village had got a brand new climbing hall. In other words, the conditions were right for moving home. There was just one big problem: They couldn’t find a place to live. – We both grew up here, says Gustav before Ida chimes in: – We wanted to give the boys the same upbringing as we had when we were little, where we can just let the kids go without being afraid of anything. Lived with “in-laws” for several months It took several months before the couple found an apartment they could rent. – We moved here in December. For the first few months we lived with my parents-in-law. We found neither a house nor an apartment to rent. We lived there for Easter and then we moved in here, where we rent now, and we’ve been looking since then, says Ida. Ida and Gustav had to live with their “in-laws” for months before they found a home they could rent. But the dream is to be able to buy your own house – and stay in your home municipality. Photo: Lars Bjørn Martinsen / news Ida and Gustav are still looking for their dream home in their childhood paradise. But the couple has no grandiose plans. – We are minimalists. We do not need such a large home. We just want some air around us and more bedrooms. There is only one bedroom here, says Ida. Hamarøy municipality in Nordland is far from the most central. This is now well felt in the housing market in the municipality. A widespread problem According to the director of the District Center Marit Lofnes Mellingen, housing shortage is a widespread problem in District Norway. Although housing prices are significantly lower in the rural areas, it can also be difficult to obtain housing. There can also be large costs for building housing in rural areas. And often the home’s value drops as you put the key in the door. Marit Lofnes Mellingen is director of the District Centre, and says the problem of housing shortages is far from unique in Hamarøy municipality. Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news – Recruitment of labor and expertise is a major challenge for many district areas. Lack of housing is an important cause of recruitment challenges. About two out of three companies in the rural areas are struggling to recruit people due to housing shortages. The director believes that District Norway has a small and suitable offer of housing. Mellingen believes that the municipalities in the districts must take a more active role in housing policy than what they need to do in urban areas. The mayor: – Luxury problem Mayor of Hamarøy municipality, Britt Kristoffersen Løksa (Sp) refers to the housing challenge as a luxury problem. – We have growth in the population and employment. Both private business and the municipality have a great need for workers, and these people need a place to live, she says. Løksa believes that the housing challenge is inhibiting recruitment to the business world and believes that something must be done to prevent them from becoming a commuting municipality. – I would really like to have seen many more people build their own homes. Britt Kristoffersen Løksa (Sp) is mayor of Hamarøy municipality, and is concerned about the housing situation in the district municipality. Photo: Elena Junie Paulsen / news The municipality has announced a referral agreement to obtain more suitable rental housing in collaboration with private developers and the Housing Bank. But for now, there are no private developers who want to take the risk. – There is too much risk for private developers. It is just as expensive to build in the district as in the city, but the home is not worth the construction cost at the moment it is finished, nor can you rent the home out at the rental price you must have to cover the cost. The cornerstone company took action The housing shortage also affects the cornerstone company The Quartz Corp at Drag in Hamarøy municipality. They have gone from 150 to 220 employees. And there will be more. But not all the new employees find a place to live. Therefore, the company has employed a property developer, who works to buy and manage plots of land that the employees can rent and buy to build their own homes – We have few homes for our employees. There is little for sale, says property developer in The Quartz Corp, John Reidar Nymo Riseth. John Reidar Nymo Riseth was employed as a property developer at Drag a few months ago. The aim is to provide housing for the employees of the cornerstone company The Quatz Corp. Photo: Lars Bjørn Martinsen / news The company has therefore bought a large plot of land to be able to offer the employees an opportunity to build a home on Drag. – We want our employees to come here, establish themselves and stay here. We may go further than other employers. Not many new homes are being built in Hamarøy municipality, but a few projects have been started. Photo: Lars Bjørn Martinsen / news Still chasing the home dream For Ida and Gustav, the situation seems quite hopeless, while more and more of their childhood friends are turning their noses back home. – It’s a bit absurd to be at a screening with people you really like. We have friends who are also moving home and are also looking. But so far they are holding out. – It takes a lot for us to move. We feel very comfortable here, says Gustav. Published 10.11.2024, at 10.31
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