Proposal by the Socialist Party of Iceland on measures to ensure that no one loses their home

This proposal will be presented at a city council meeting on November 17th next:

Our homes should be a safe haven from the stresses of everyday life, not yet another thing we are at risk of losing. A home is one of the most important things in our lives, and in the financial crisis that many in this city are now facing, we must ensure that no one loses their home. The role of the city council is to meet the basic needs of citizens, and housing is paramount in this regard. No one should have to lose their home due to an economic crisis. The Reykjavík City Council therefore approves the following measures to ensure that no one loses their home due to the economic consequences of the coronavirus: 1) To provide grants or loans to those who cannot pay rent or mortgage installments. If the financial support is long-term, the city can acquire a share in apartments that receive support for mortgage installments. Later, residents can buy back their share, if they choose to do so and are in a position to. 2) To pressure the government to implement a payment moratorium on mortgage installments for people who lose their jobs or experience income loss. Loan installments will be frozen until people regain employment or have comparable income as before. The government must also be pressured to impose a ban on tenant evictions. 3) To support the demands of the labor movement regarding housing security during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rationale:

We should all be able to return to our homes and feel security and stability there. A home is a fundamental prerequisite for well-being; there we nurture ourselves and engage in personal interactions with those close to us. When we think of home, it is often the place where we have settled in comfortably and where things are to our liking. Many are now experiencing difficult times, and it must be ensured that people's housing security is not compromised. The sanctity of the home is paramount and must be ensured. When people experience income loss and accompanying financial worries, it is essential to directly support those affected. That support means that people's homes will remain their homes through the economic consequences caused by the coronavirus. The Reykjavík City Council therefore agrees to expand the rules on grants and loans for special difficulties. Currently, such assistance is provided to those who have received financial aid for subsistence from Reykjavík City and meet certain conditions. It is possible to apply for an exemption from this, but it is necessary that Reykjavík City's rules encompass all those in our community within the city who might need the support. It is clear that the situation in society will last for a certain period, and therefore the government must be urged to provide direct support that directly benefits households. Many households are in no position to pay mortgage installments due to income loss, and therefore a payment moratorium that covers them must be implemented. While various things in society have been put on hold, it is not possible to demand that households maintain the same loan installments. Reykjavík City therefore agrees to pressure the government to ensure that loan installments for people who lose their jobs or experience income loss due to the consequences of the coronavirus are frozen until they regain employment or have comparable income as before. It is also necessary to protect the interests of tenants who have lost their income, and it is important to pressure the government to impose a temporary ban on tenant evictions, similar to what was done in New York. The guiding principle of the labor movement is to ensure the interests of people over capital during times of economic crisis. This includes the vision of ASÍ, titled The Right Way - From Crisis to Quality of Life and Security for All of Us. Reykjavík City agrees to work closely with the labor movement regarding the support that needs to be provided to residents at this time.