Broken sinks and destroyed kitchens. A sea of garbage and clogged toilets. This is just some of what you can encounter when you enter the door of a municipal apartment in Kristiansund. According to Kristiansund municipality, there is around half a year between the pictures. Kristiansund municipality – Unfortunately, it happens a little too often. We try as best we can to help, to prevent this from happening, but there are people living here who rent on normal terms. That’s what Tormod Borge Skundberg, who is unit manager for property management in Kristiansund municipality, says. Tormod Borge Skundberg says it is difficult to do anything about the problem. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news Believes the law limits the opportunity to help According to figures from Statistics Norway, there were over 115,000 available municipal housing in Norway in 2023. Municipal housing is intended for people who are unable to obtain housing on their own. According to Skundberg, those who destroy the homes in Kristiansund often have mental health and substance abuse problems. He says that they would like to help their residents, but his opinion is that the legislation limits the possibility. A toilet has been filled with paper towels. Photo: Kristiansund municipality Skundberg highlights the rent act, which among other things means that they cannot enter the apartments without the people who live there letting them in. In addition, he says that they have municipal aid measures, but that the residents themselves choose whether they want this aid. – It could be a coercive measure requiring them to get help, but that list is so high that it is almost impossible, he says. He is honest that he is worried. – People live here, and no one wants to live like that. Nobody plans their life like that. This is what it looked like in the sink of one of the homes in the municipality. Photo: Kristiansund municipality – Many who live like this Kai Knutsen is a central board member of the nationwide user organization Rio. They work to provide knowledge in the drug field, so that people with drug problems get the help they need. Knutsen has met people who live in such conditions in several places in the country. – Based on my experience, unfortunately many people live like that. They should have had better adapted housing and perhaps other offers of help, he says. Kai Knutsen in the user organization Rio believes that such organizations should be involved when changes are to be discussed. Photo: Nils-Atle Sundnes / news M&R The feedback he receives from users varies, but one thing is repeated. – The sicker a person becomes, the more you also see it in the person’s home. Against coercion But he is clear that coercion is not the way to go for things to get better. – I have seen examples where over time you have avoided the homes being destroyed when you have been allowed to work on the users’ terms, he says. He highlights the Housing First model, which has had several success stories. Knutsen also believes that more single-family houses, which are not hard-to-use homes, can be a good measure. In addition, he says that ambulatory teams that have plenty of time to be at the person’s home are important. A room filled with rubbish. This is what it can look like in some of the municipal apartments. Photo: Kristiansund municipality Fears it will get worse Skundberg believes the municipality is already struggling to care for residents with mental health and substance abuse problems, but now he fears it will get even worse. Health Møre and Romsdal must save at least 200 million in the budget for next year, and of this cut, the clinic for mental health and substance abuse has been told to save at least 30 million. – It is not the downsizing of drug and psychiatry arrangements that we need. It will spill over into the local communities, he says. Broken mirrors, dirt and broken white goods met the municipality in a bathroom. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news Considering changes Health and care minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) says that it is important that those who need municipal housing get a good housing offer. – It is the municipalities that are responsible for their housing, and I assume that they also make the necessary repairs and upgrades when there is a need for it. Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre says that it has been important to be thorough when they have looked at the consent committee’s proposal because, among other things, it is about people’s freedom. Photo: Eirik Haukenes / news Furthermore, he says that they are now looking at whether any changes should be made to make it easier for the municipalities, among others. – I have met both relatives and professionals who are concerned because they believe that there are people who do not understand that they need health care, who then say no, but who should have it. And of course it also makes an impression on me. And I hope that we can submit proposals for changes within a fairly short time. A toilet in a home has been soiled with, among other things, paint. Photo: Mari Aandahl Kippernes / news Published 02.12.2024, at 13.20
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Municipal housing for drug and psychiatric patients is demolished in Kristiansund – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
