Response to interpellation 2023/24:49 on the situation on the housing market

Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Malcolm Momodou Jallow has asked me what measures I intend to take to prevent housing construction from sinking further and how I intend to meet the housing shortage for the most economically vulnerable households, who de facto cannot buy a small house or other owned housing. Malcolm Momodou Jallow has also asked me what measures I intend to take so that even persons without capital and/or high income shall be able to get their own housing.

Right now, we find ourselves in a tough economic situation where many companies are being pressured hard by inflation. This affects the construction sector in particular, which faces increased prices and decreased demand. The government therefore proposes measures in the budget bill for 2024 to strengthen the construction sector. These include, among other things, a temporarily raised ceiling for the ROT deduction to cushion the effects of the tough economic situation and save jobs in the construction sector so that there is competent staff available when the economy turns, stimulus measures for the municipalities to provide increased incentives to convert premises into housing and increase the supply of planned land for small houses. An investigator shall also take a position on how the rents for newly produced apartments, so-called presumption rents, can be changed in order to create good conditions for building new rental apartments.

Many households have experienced increased living costs. Housing costs are the single largest expense for many households. To provide households with children and low incomes with extra resources so that they have better conditions to meet their housing costs, the government in the budget bill for 2024 has proposed that the temporary increase of the housing allowance be extended for an additional six months until June 30, 2024. The supplementary allowance is paid monthly. The amount is the same as that which applies during the period from July through December this year, which means that the supplementary allowance is paid at a level corresponding to 40 percent of the preliminary housing allowance. The housing allowance is a targeted benefit to reach households with weak finances.

One of the investigations that the government has appointed so far is an investigation aimed at facilitating for private individuals to rent out their homes, which can contribute to homes being rented instead of standing unused. In this way, the homes that actually exist can be used in a more efficient manner.

To lower the threshold to owner-occupied housing, the government has also tasked an investigator to propose an expansion of the system with condominiums and a new model for rent-to-own of housing. Rent-to-own implies an opportunity for the tenant to gradually be able to purchase their home. This can facilitate things for those who today have difficulty entering the owner-occupied housing market, for example young people who are limited by the high capital requirements that are imposed.

We are also preparing the report Lower the threshold to a good home in the Government Offices. The report presents several proposals that give households the opportunity to be able to acquire a home that meets their needs. The report contains, among other things, proposals on clearer conditions for municipal housing agencies to apply reservations and a larger scope for priority bookings.

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Mikael Eskilandersson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! This is a bit of a "rumphugget" [a bit of a mess/awkward situation], one might say, when the interpellor has not appeared. I had, in fact, intended to question some of what the interpellor has written in their interpellation.

I assert that Malcolm Momodou Jallow gives a partially false picture of reality in his interpellation. He writes that "economic incentives are at the top of the wish list" when asking the industry.

But what I hear is that people want a stable market. They want moderate inflation, they want low or at least stable interest rates, and they want long-term agreements on the rules of the game in the market. That is what I perceive the industry is primarily demanding.

When the Committee on Civil Affairs held its public meeting yesterday with parts of the industry present and Malcolm Momodou Jallow asked what the three most important things on their wish list were, quite a few people answered. However, it was not subsidies and economic stimulus that was the first thing raised, but rather to abolish the law on public procurement for public utility, simplified building regulations, VAT on rent, strengthened housing allowances, skills-enhancing initiatives, a common goal, shortened processing times, and simplifying the interior decoration of attics. It was also about credit guarantees, start-up loans, top-up loans, and amortization rules. They also raised the issue of strengthening the individual's conditions to demand the housing that exists, as well as creating repeatable processes or so-called type-approved houses.

What I heard was that it was only one of those present, from the student residences, who mentioned that support or stimulus was a possible path. But it was not their number one either. Number one was to simplify for construction, which is completely in line with what the government and also we support.

I would like to summarize by saying that, all in all, it was more SD policy than left-wing policy. Since I cannot ask Malcolm Momodou Jallow what I had intended to ask, I will not be making any more posts here.

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TALMANNEN

I have been informed that the interpellor is on his way here at a high pace. We will see if he arrives before the debate is concluded.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Mikael Eskilandersson, for the contribution! It broadens the picture, one can say calmly. I also received reports from the Civil Affairs Committee's hearing yesterday, where those present from the construction industry and the housing sector highlighted that there is not a single magic solution, but in line with what the government is working on, just as Mikael Eskilandersson pointed out, it is about simplifying and improving regulations, shortening lead times, and making buildable land available.

We shall see, Mr. Speaker, if the member is on their way. Otherwise, there will be some filibustering taking place in the chamber here on Friday morning.

The contribution that Mikael Eskilandersson has made based on what was raised in the Civil Affairs Committee's hearing yesterday has also broadened the picture and provided support for the direction that the government has now established with structural reforms that can ensure we get a better functioning housing market.

I believe I will stop here, given that I have already answered the member's question.

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TALMANNEN

We must note that the interpellator is not here and that the debate is therefore irrevocably over.

The interpellations debate was hereby concluded.

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