Crisis highlights inequality

In the city council today, we discussed the civil protection emergency level due to COVID-19. As with all crises, they always hit hardest those who are in the worst position to begin with. Our actions must protect people from the shocks caused by the consequences that COVID-19 can entail. If we look at housing, for example, we see that banks offer payment deferrals on mortgages for those who anticipate temporary difficulties. We need to consider those in the city who are in a vulnerable position, for example, tenants with little money and those who are homeless.

Safe housing

Safe housing is an important aspect of life in general, and now the coronavirus emphasizes the need for the importance of having a safe home. At a time when we are encouraged to maintain hygiene, not everyone has access to housing and sanitation facilities. If we look, for example, at the situation of the homeless, the city's shelters are now only open for part of the day. When you are homeless, you don't have a place to go, you can't go home to wash your hands regularly. If you live on the street, you don't have full access to hand sanitizer, hand soap, and sanitation facilities. You cannot go to any place that is open all day where you can take it for granted. It is an unfortunate situation that we need to improve, and I intend to believe that it will be improved.

We need to ensure everyone has access to safe housing. For tenants, we need to ensure that no one worries if they cannot pay rent. Reykjavíkurborg has one housing association, Félagsbústaðir, and there it is important that tenants can easily request a payment deferral or payment plan and do not have to fear that debts will go to collection agencies if they have difficulty paying rent.

Reykjavík Construction Company

Many who have little money spend too large a portion of their disposable income on rent, renting on the general rental market, e.g., from profit-driven rental companies, and are waiting for social rental housing. Now is the time to build; we must be able to offer enough affordable apartments. We socialists in the city have previously submitted a proposal for a construction company for Reykjavíkurborg, and I emphasize here the importance of getting it started now. To build for the people who are most in need.

The city should take over empty houses and unfinished buildings

In the city center, parties have been building so-called luxury apartments that they have had difficulty selling. In this situation, it is natural to mention that the city approached them to see if they could not buy the apartments at a favorable price and make these apartments available to those in need of housing. Can the city not talk to the parties involved in financing this project, who are probably not going to make a profit, and take over these residential areas? There, for example, the city could build workers' housing and apartments suitable for low-income individuals and, for example, single parents in urgent need of safe, affordable housing.

The tourist flow to the country will most likely be little to none in the coming months, and then we also need to talk to those who have been building hotels. Wouldn't it then be possible to convert them into, for example, student dormitories and apartments suitable for senior citizens and fill them with life rather than having empty areas, which we now foresee given the situation likely to face us. Then we would also be able to provide those who need housing with suitable apartments.

Reykjavíkurborg should take up the interests of tenants

We need to ensure the position of tenants, and here it can certainly be the role of Reykjavíkurborg towards the state authorities to initiate discussions about their situation. This could include, for example, ideas about rent caps, a fixed price per square meter, and that tenants should not be evicted from residential housing until the economic downturn we foresee has passed. Residents should not have to live in uncertainty or bear the shocks that we anticipate may now occur.

Harder for those living in cramped conditions to respect social distancing

Many are forced to move in with others with their families and children when they can no longer afford to pay rent on the general rental market. This is a situation that people may find difficult and uncomfortable in general, but even more so when people are now advised to adhere to certain social distancing restrictions. Many low-income families and families with low incomes are forced to accept living in cramped conditions and may even have to share their space with friends and relatives, as more square meters mean a higher price. There are also many who live in unapproved apartments or rooms and share toilet and cooking facilities with others. Many are also between places and have insecure housing situations, and it is necessary to ensure safe housing for everyone.

In all the discussion about social distancing, the situation is certainly more difficult for people who are in a tight spot both financially and literally. Those living in difficult circumstances would gladly want to spread out in their own apartment but cannot afford it. Those with low incomes often have to settle for smaller spaces to live in, and it is a difficult situation to face losing an apartment and possibly having to move in with other people, as there is nothing else available due to lack of funds. This is a factor worth mentioning in light of the fact that we are discussing possible situations that could arise and how we intend to respond.

Everyone must be ensured food

Now, regarding financial circumstances, poor people cannot stock up on food as they cannot afford it; poor people who are sick at home cannot afford to order ready-made food and have it delivered, it is very expensive. If they were to allow themselves such a thing, it would come at the expense of other important expenditure items. These are factors we need to be aware of. Many rely on food distributions from charities, and although I welcome that a group of volunteers has taken it upon themselves to ensure that such continues after the coronavirus threatened the operations, it should be in the hands of the authorities. It should be in the hands of the state and municipalities to ensure that no one is without food, and I have not seen any responses that guarantee this, and that is not okay.

The virus increases inequality

The coronavirus highlights inequality in society. It brings forth certain aspects that we need to address. For example, how are those who live on the lowest amounts of financial assistance for subsistence supposed to finance nutritious food purchases for quarantine or isolation if they fall ill? It is difficult to see that happening given the amounts of financial assistance for subsistence, as it is also intended to cover rent payments and other necessities.

It is also important to mention that the amount of financial assistance should not be reduced due to the circumstances of the coronavirus. Article 3 of the rules on financial assistance discusses what could lead to a reduction in the basic amount. It states, for example, 'If an applicant has refused employment or resigned from their job without adequate explanation or refused a job search plan, half of the basic amount for subsistence shall be paid.' Now, I am sure that the welfare department is clear on this and the importance that people cannot necessarily easily move between places now, but this is a factor that is important to mention so that we are aware of the situation.

Poorer more dependent on public services

When school buildings close, access to free internet connection, which many students use and have received with tuition fees, also closes. These are factors that many may not consider, but are we, for example, sure that all students who receive a city scholarship have access to the internet to do homework after school buildings close and students need to do their studies from home remotely? Are we ensuring that no one is left behind due to the effects of the coronavirus? Is everyone absolutely certain to have internet at home? It is quite an expensive bill, and perhaps some students relied entirely on the internet at school. Closures of institutions and schools, such as secondary schools, can have various consequences.

Small things can be big obstacles

There are all sorts of factors that we might consider small but can be big obstacles for many, and we need to make sure we have screened and covered them. In emergency response plans, we need to ensure that we talk to different groups about how best to ensure that no one is left out.

Here I also want to mention fees, debt status, and possible defaults, and that this should not lead to a bad situation for city residents. As an example, one can look at Orkuveita Reykjavíkurborgar and Veitan and the services they charge for, and mention the importance that, for example, electricity should not be cut off for city residents due to defaults. If it has been done, it should not cost to reconnect it. No one should have to be in their apartment without electricity, and it is important to consider all these factors and how defaults affect people's situation and how such could affect the situation of those who are even in quarantine due to the coronavirus or are recovering from illness.

Last but not least, it is important to prevent social isolation and ensure free access to entertainment and to devise methods to implement such that reaches different groups according to their needs. Now it is important to review our social systems and ensure that they meet the needs of the less fortunate and ensure that no one is left behind.

Sanna Magdalena Mörtudóttir