In light of this, the Directorate of Labour would like to make the following statement:

The Directorate of Labour is aware of the number of applicants for international protection that the agency provides in Reykjanesbær and the strain that this number has on the infrastructure of the municipality. For this reason, the Directorate of Labour has, along with other parties, had a good and close cooperation with Reykjanesbær, where the assessment of the challenges that have arisen is being carried out as well as solutions are being worked on.

As regards rental of housing for applicants for international protection, the Directorate of Labour has entrusted the Executive Directorate/State Property to find such a remedy on behalf of the agency. In this connection, the Executive Directorate/State Property took the shortest rent on housing in Reykjanesbær where there are existing tenants, but in this particular case the owner of the housing has confirmed to the Executive Directorate of the State/State Property that all tenants will be offered another housing that is in the owner’s ownership when the current lease agreements expire. Furthermore, the Executive Directorate/State Property has confirmed to the Directorate of Labour that the rent paid for the housing arrangement in question is the same as the current tenants pay.

It is the hope of the Directorate that the conversation and cooperation with Reykjanesbær in recent months and its results will be the basis for continued good cooperation with Reykjanesbær on the issues of applicants for international protection and refugees.