The possibility of time-limited building permits for housing is extended
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
Vänsterpartiet considers the extension of time-limited building permits necessary due to the housing shortage 1, but warns that the measure must not replace long-term reforms 1. Vänsterpartiet argues that the government is phasing out functioning measures and that construction is collapsing 1 2. Socialdemokraterna considers the extension necessary and that it is good that there is an upper time limit 3. Kristdemokraterna considers the extension justified because it is difficult to achieve the construction goals 4. Kristdemokraterna argues that the government will implement many reforms 5 6 and that Sweden is building too little 6. Kristdemokraterna considers that interest rates need to be lowered and the amortization requirement reduced 6. Miljöpartiet stands behind the proposal and considers it necessary 7. Miljöpartiet argues that there is an enormous need for more permanent housing of good quality 7.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Malcolm Momodou Jallow (V)
Mr. Speaker! Today we are debating the Committee on Civil Affairs' report 16 on time-limited building permits.
Vänsterpartiet has chosen to stand behind the proposal to extend time-limited building permits by five years, until 1 May 2028. We can see the necessity of doing so, as the need for more housing is still very great and seems difficult to meet through ordinary planning and building processes. We have, however, chosen to submit a specific statement together with the Social Democrats and the Green Party because we also see clear risks with the proposal.
In the investigation "A new regulatory framework for building permits" from 2021, it was proposed that this measure should be made permanent, something that Vänsterpartiet and many referral bodies disagree with us on. Given that the government has so far not implemented any reforms whatsoever in the housing policy area with the aim of increasing construction, but instead has dismantled the measures that actually worked, Vänsterpartiet clearly sees a great risk that the extensions of the time-limited building permits will become the government's substitute for permanent housing construction - precisely in the way that, among others, the county administrative boards in the metropolitan regions warned against in their referral responses.
The County Administrative Board of Stockholm writes, for example, that the demand for acute housing solutions, which was once the reason why the provision was introduced in the first place, is not as great today and therefore considers that the measure was actually not needed at all. The County Administrative Boards in both Stockholm and Skåne want the municipalities to instead work long-term with their housing supply but argue that the time-limited building permits risk leading in the completely opposite direction. The incentives to plan long-term for the housing need are simply decreasing. Vänsterpartiet completely agrees with this analysis.
The government also justifies the extension by stating that it is difficult to assess how long the need may persist since the situation on the housing market has not improved significantly. The government then writes that in five years they will evaluate the need and thereafter consider whether the measure should be extended again or remain in effect indefinitely. It is therefore easy to see the clear danger that several of the county administrative boards highlight. And it is easy to see the Left Party's fears that the government may let this measure replace reforms for permanent housing construction.
A mantra that we have heard from the Minister for Housing since he took office, when he is asked why no reforms are taking place, is "we are maintaining a high pace." We have heard that several times.
I do not know if the Minister for Housing is sitting and sleeping in the Government Offices, but this must be the slowest high tempo one has ever seen - if we are talking about hurrying slowly. It is exactly what we are seeing now. The Minister for Housing and the government have not come up with any reforms whatsoever, and it affects the housing policy. People have nowhere to live in a situation with high interest rates and inflation. We see many people, including families with children, becoming homeless. To have a housing minister and a government in this situation that does not present any long-term plans for housing construction is deeply worrying.
In February this year, SCB reported how the construction of multi-family houses already last year fell by 20 percent compared to 2021. It was 14 percent fewer small houses that were started compared to 2021, and when it comes to the forecasts for this year, Boverket expects that construction will be more than halved.
Mr. Speaker! The exact figures are of course uncertain, but we all know that construction is collapsing across the whole of Sweden. Every day, new reports arrive confirming this. Housing construction is at a standstill in the entire country. In this situation, the government is actually doing nothing at all. Not a single measure has been presented that can lead to increased construction in these difficult times.
Vänsterpartiet argues that it simply must be clear that other long-term measures should be in focus to increase construction and improve the situation on the housing market, not time-limited building permits. Aside from the fact that such a solution is neither long-term nor stable, there is also a risk that the time-limited building permits in the long run lead to poorer living environments because they only need to meet some of the requirements for a permanent building permit, not all.
Simply put, time-limited building permits for housing are not suitable to be used as a permanent measure. The fact that Vänsterpartiet is now also giving them five years does not mean that we consider the government can continue to abdicate all responsibility within the housing policy field. On the contrary, we cannot emphasize clearly enough that several other measures are needed to improve the situation and that it is high time for the government to present such measures.
Markus Kallifatides (S)
Mr. Speaker! We Social Democrats also consider that in the situation we find ourselves in, with a great housing shortage, it is necessary to extend the possibility for time-limited building permits. We also believe that it is very good that an upper time limit is set for the exception in the legislation that today's proposal entails. It is therefore why we have refrained from introducing follow-up motions in connection with this proposition.
We also want to emphasize that it is of the utmost importance that time-limited building permits do not become a replacement for other long-term housing policy measures to promote a good housing supply in the country in accordance with the housing policy goals established by the Riksdag.
We Social Democrats are closely following the developments in the housing market and will push these issues in all possible contexts. We urge the government to take action with initiatives for permanent housing construction in accordance with the population's needs.
Larry Söder (KD)
Mr. Speaker! I have sat in the Riksdag for eight years, and I believe this is the shortest report I have ever seen. It is very thin. But the only real change in this is actually the time aspect. It shall apply until May 1, 2028. Otherwise, it is exactly the same as that which the Social Democratic government submitted. Therefore, it should also be a fairly simple debate in this chamber, I think.
When the special regulation on time-limited building permits for new construction for residential purposes was introduced, it was justified by the fact that the need for new housing in the short term could not be met solely through ordinary planning and building processes. I mean that that justification actually holds true even today.
We have very little construction out in our municipalities. If you ask the municipalities today, you are told that quite few are applying for building permits. Few projects are starting up again. It also means that we will have problems with housing construction for the next five years, I believe. Therefore, it is quite justified that we have these time-limited building permits for housing and that this is extended.
Just as Malcolm Momodou Jallow, the government has difficulty assessing how housing construction will be over the next five years, and that means that a new assessment will be made in five years. It would not be strange if there were then new measures on the housing market that might cause housing construction to start picking up again. We are in a downward trend right now with rising interest rates, increasing production costs, and falling house prices. I believe that this will have turned in five years. Then it might be sensible to make a new assessment.
According to the new calculations made by Boverket, approximately 63,000 housing units are needed in Sweden annually during 2022-2030. Given the current situation, we believe it is difficult to achieve this in the years ahead. This means that we must take measures to build more housing.
A time-limited building permit for a measure may be granted if the measure fulfills some but not all of the requirements for a permanent building permit, the applicant requests it, and the measure is intended to continue during the limited period specified. Such a permit shall be granted if the measure is supported by a detailed plan provision regarding temporary use of a building or land. A temporary building permit may therefore be granted for ten years but can be extended for an additional five years if it is justified.
This means that it is not a permanent measure. It is a temporary measure. In the end, the land can be used in a way other than what is stipulated in the building permit to create construction, apartments, and housing for people. I think this is quite good. It is a measure that is needed in these times.
I understand that the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party do not think that this can be the only measure. I do not think either that it should be the only measure. But it is still a measure that was needed and that needs to be there for five more years. I therefore move for approval of the committee's proposal.
Malcolm Momodou Jallow (V)
Mr. Speaker! Just as was said here, we think this is necessary. It is important that ways are found to build housing.
But just as Larry said, this cannot be the only measure. We cannot wait for five years and then evaluate it before we present something new - people need somewhere to live now!
Since Larry Söder's party, Kristdemokraterna, is part of the government, I would like to know what other measures you intend to present. So far, we have not seen any measures at all. When the minister has been here and answered questions about reforms, the only thing that is repeated like a mantra is that one is working intensively. But we see no measures. We see no reforms.
That is why I wonder if the minister is sitting and sleeping or what the minister is doing. Perhaps Larry Söder can help me and the Swedish people to understand what the minister and the government are doing to ensure that solutions are found for the housing shortage and the situation that exists today?
Larry Söder (KD)
Mr. Speaker! It is clear that this is not the only measure that needs to be taken for us to increase housing construction. On that, the entire chamber is likely in agreement. We need to create opportunities for those who want to build housing to build where it is attractive and where people actually want to live. But all measures take a little longer than one might perhaps wish in this chamber.
I would like Malcolm Momodou Jallow to join me in a thought experiment. Let us say that in 2014, Malcolm Momodou Jallow supported a government party that received the housing minister post and kept it for eight years. Could Malcolm Momodou Jallow then tell me how many reforms that government could put forward during the period 2014-2022 to increase housing construction in Sweden? Is it zero, five, or ten?
I can help Malcolm Momodou Jallow. There is a reform that the government submitted, namely the investment support. Every time we asked in this chamber, we were told that the investment support would solve the housing construction. I can inform Malcolm Momodou Jallow that the investment support is not a reform - it is a grant. The answer is therefore zero.
I believe that the government that is now in power for four years will make significantly more reforms. Furthermore, they have already started with, for example, student housing. They have appointed an inquiry to be able to create more student housing, which is important so that we can get people to study and subsequently work and pay tax. Then there must be housing that they can live in.
I would like Malcolm Momodou Jallow to follow my thought experiment and tell me how many reforms the previous government actually implemented.
Malcolm Momodou Jallow (V)
Mr. Speaker! Very skillful! I followed Larry Söder's story. But what is incorrect about it is that Vänsterpartiet has actually never sat in the government. We have not governed Sweden.
If one has criticism against the previous government, one must direct that criticism there. We have always been in opposition. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the lack of reforms. If there is something Larry Söder should give us, it is to acknowledge that Vänsterpartiet has contributed to the little that has nevertheless been done within housing policy. Vänsterpartiet has been very active in that process.
The investment support was mentioned, among other things. Yes, we are very proud of the investment support. It has led to more than 40,000 homes being built. That is much more than Larry Söder's colleague has been able to do so far. Not a single home has been able to be built thanks to the Kristdemokraterna or this government.
We have received report after report that there is no more housing construction. People are not building. Property owners say that it is too expensive. And instead of coming up with reforms, this government chooses to remove the little that actually helps construction. It is completely absurd that a government that is supposed to present reforms to help people find somewhere to live instead removes the little that actually helps housing construction.
If Larry Söder wants some suggestions for measures, I am open to that. Vänsterpartiet has a number of different measures to present that help exactly with housing construction in this country. Time is running out; otherwise, I would have rattled off several for Larry Söder. But I am happy to present them to you, so you can pass them on to the minister.
Larry Söder (KD)
Mr. Speaker! Let me state that on the question regarding my thought experiment, Malcolm Momodou Jallow did not manage to answer. The only answer that exists is actually zero. There are, in fact, no reforms during 2014-2022 that Malcolm Momodou Jallow could refer to, except for the investment support, which I addressed in my speech.
Vänsterpartiet supported a government for eight years that had this housing policy. Malcolm Momodou Jallow is just as aware as I am that reforms take time. They need to take time. We need investigations, and we need to make decisions in this chamber.
I can also state that a government with a housing minister from Kristdemokraterna has historically done very much and will do very much during the period 2022-2026.
However, I agree with Malcolm Momodou Jallow that we are building far too little in Sweden. We need to find reforms to be able to increase housing construction. But then there are both external and internal parts that need to be addressed. We need to ensure that interest rates are lowered. We need to ensure that the amortization requirement is reduced. We need to ensure that house prices increase again. And it must become profitable for a property owner to own a property, even considering rents, presumed rents, and what applies to the new construction of rental apartments today, as the Supreme Court has ruled.
I would like to assert that reforms exist. Reforms will come. But unfortunately, it is a bit too early for Malcolm Momodou Jallow to cry for the wolf. Calm down, Malcolm Momodou Jallow, it's coming!
Katarina Luhr (MP)
Mr. Speaker! For any new listeners, I would like to say that we are debating a bill on a time-limited extension of the time-limited regulation on time-limited building permits for new construction for residential purposes.
The entire committee, including us in Miljöpartiet, stands behind the proposal and even consider it a necessary proposal. But I would, of course, like to say a few words about our position regarding the specific statement that we, together with the Socialdemokraterna and Vänsterpartiet, have in the report.
This is a regulation that was introduced in 2017, primarily so that housing could be quickly provided to everyone who came to Sweden at that time to seek protection here. The temporary dwellings may be used for a maximum of 15 years and do not need to meet all the requirements for building permits. One must also be able to show that the land can be restored after the dwellings have been moved or dismantled.
A prerequisite for being able to use the temporary building permits is that one can demonstrate that the need is precisely temporary. In several cases, before receiving a building permit, it has been necessary to show that there is also a long-term plan for housing supply and that the temporary housing is precisely to solve the situation temporarily.
The long-term need for permanent housing is still enormous in Sweden. Boverket estimates that over 60,000 homes need to be built per year. In 2021, when we had a Social Democratic and Green Party government, more than 70,000 homes were started. Last year, the number of construction starts decreased significantly, and this year last year's figures may potentially be halved. There is, however, no doubt that there is a great need for housing in different parts of Sweden, while at the same time we are currently seeing a complete standstill within the construction sector, for various reasons. That previous construction support has been phased out by the government does not help the situation.
There are today fine examples of how one can build temporarily with high climate and environmental standards - and examples of the opposite. But as long as the houses only have permits to be on the site for a maximum of 15 years, these dwellings will only be for transition. They do not then provide the security needed for one to be able to feel that it is a home. That we provide shelter for more is very good, but there is an enormous need for more permanent housing of good quality - housing that can guarantee that the temporary building permits remain just temporary and which provide the long-term security of a home. In order to be able to build these dwellings, it requires, just as we have heard, broad new reforms from the government. In the current situation, we do not see that those reforms exist.
Mr. Speaker! A home is often the basis for the rest of life to function. Ensuring that there are available high-quality homes for housing seekers all over Sweden should be a high priority for the government. Therefore, I keep my fingers crossed that we will soon see new reforms on the table from the government and that we can make decisions on them together moving forward.
The deliberation was hereby concluded.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.