Newcomers to Solna are forced – forced to sleep in tents

They left their apartments to the municipality to make way for other newcomers.

Now 15 people are forced to stay in the tents of Bredkilsbacken in Solna.

"Sweden has promised to protect us from the war, but it's not what I call protection," said Ahmad Wani, who is leaving Syria.

Ahmad Wani will soon show the tent that made him sleep for two nights. There is only one mattress in it. The 26-year-old has the right not to stay in the tent because of the risk of theft.

"It is not safe at all to sleep here, we can arrive for anything, and it was very cold," he says.

Ahmad is from Aleppo in Syria. In 2015, he fled the war and went to Sweden. A little over two years ago, he obtained a permanent residence permit. Ahmad has a job in the construction industry, but dreams of reading the lesson that he started in Syria.

"I was a mechanical engineer when I was forced to take the plane because of the war." My goal is to read the course clearly, but as the situation is now, it seems to me completely impossible.

"Heard about me at 63 housing companies"

Ahmad is one of 15 people who have been evicted from Bredkilsbacken's modular housing apartments in Solna.

Last year, the administrative district of the city of Lidingö granted the right to expel newcomers at the end of the so-called two-year settlement period. This is the decision that Solna, like many other municipalities, supports when announcing newcomers.

People who are now forced to count in the cold strongly criticize the actions of the city.

"All I need is to get help for the house, I'm stopping to become an electrician and it will be done soon." But now I do not know how it will happen, "said Josef Alheraki, who also fled Syria.

The owner Ahmad Alkasson has left his apartment. However, in a few weeks, he will also be fired.

"I've heard of 63 housing companies in different places in Sweden, but everyone says I have no priority with them and it's Solna's responsibility to help me." I have also responded to many ads on Blocket, but it's really not easy to find a home for yourself.

Can be forced by the police

Around 200 people live in modular homes in Bredkilsbacken. At the end of November, the lease will involve a new group of newcomers. A month later, more people are at risk of becoming homeless.

Ghitaywit Ghebyhwet, 25, from Eritrea, is among those who are worried about what will happen. She lives in a small apartment with her son Redwan, aged one year.

– In a month, we have to move. I have not found any houses and I do not know anyone in Sweden. I think we will also have to sleep in a tent, "she says.

However, it is unclear whether the tented camp will be left when Ghitaywit and Redwan will be forced to leave the apartment. It is not allowed to set up tents in a detailed area and the police have already made it to the spot on Saturday. However, they decided to leave the tents during the weekend. On Monday, the police will discuss the matter with representatives of the municipality, which SVT had previously reported.

"Respect for criticism"

Rasmus Sandsten is the press attaché of the city of Solna. He states that newcomers who are forced to relocate receive the same assistance as other homeless people.

– They are welcome to contact the social administration to resolve the emergency situation. Then we help them in finding permanent residence and employment, if necessary.

– For people with minor children, the city has greater responsibility. However, this does not mean that you are automatically entitled to a first-hand contract.

Newcomers to Bredkilsbacken mean that other municipalities take greater responsibility for this situation than Solna. How do you look at it?

– I understand that the situation is very difficult and I respect the critics. It is true that different municipalities have different balances, but political decisions underlie this situation.

A large number of people are in situations similar to those found in tents in Solna. According to the city-to-city organization, tens of thousands of newcomers across the country are now threatening homelessness.

"Sweden has promised to protect us from war, but that's not what I call protection, we just want to live here and contribute to society, but for that to happen, we have to be treated like people, "Ahmad Wani said.

November 4, 2018 10:21 p.m.