They houses with only one room and without direct access to water, which was built when Qaanaaq was founded 73 years ago, is still inhabited.
One of the residents of the old and small houses is a man who wishes to remain anonymous, and whom we call Poul in this article (the editors know his identity). He tells Sermitsiaq that he often shelters family members, friends or acquaintances who have been evicted from their homes or are without a place to live.
They houses with only one room and without direct access to water, which was built when Qaanaaq was founded 73 years ago, is still inhabited.
One of the residents of the old and small houses is a man who wishes to remain anonymous, and whom we call Poul in this article (the editors know his identity). He tells Sermitsiaq that he often shelters family members, friends or acquaintances who have been evicted from their homes or are without a place to live.
– Even if they are not registered at my address, I accept them when they approach because they have been evicted or have nowhere to live. I want to help them, says Poul.
A health risk
Living in housing that no longer meets today’s standards can be harmful to health, says Steven Arnfjord, who researches homelessness at Ilisimatusarfik.
Steven Arnfjord also says that people who live with others without being registered at the address can be described as hidden homeless.
– Living in old homes that are no longer up-to-date can have negative consequences for both well-being and health, explains Steven Arnfjord.
Steven Arnfjord also says that old houses are often cold in winter and that it is expensive to heat them.
– Old houses are often leaky, and in winter the cold penetrates through the windows. It is both hard and expensive to live in an old house, and the housing conditions are not always good, says Steven Arnfjord.
Politicians believe that an investigation is necessary
Sakio Fleischer (S), member of the municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia and chairman of the technical committee, believes that it is necessary to investigate how many of the houses from 1953 are still inhabited.
– If an investigation is to be carried out, it requires funding. I cannot immediately say whether an investigation will be carried out, or whether it is possible within the funds that have already been allocated this year, says Sakio Fleischer.
If the houses from 1953 are privately owned, the owners themselves should have it examined whether they are still healthy to live in, says Sakio Fleischer.
– If the municipality is responsible for the homes from 1953, and they have to be examined to see if they are healthy to live in, this will naturally entail expenses for the municipality, says Sakio Fleischer.
Modern and cheap housing
The municipal board of Avannaata Kommunia approved at its meeting on 27 March 2026 that a proposal from municipal board member Ujuut Olsen (S) about youth housing in Qaanaaq and Kullorsuaq must be included in the municipality’s construction wishes and be processed in connection with the autumn’s budget negotiations.
Sakio Fleischer says that it is politically a priority in Avannaata Kommunia to ensure good living conditions for all citizens.
– Naturally, we also prioritize politically in Avannaata Kommunia that people have homes that meet today’s standards. I hope that in this election period (2025-2029) we can build youth housing, says Sakio Fleischer.
Cheap housing with modern standards
Although he lives in a house that does not live up to today’s standards, Poul, who is over 40 years old, says that he is positive about Avannaata Kommunia’s plans for youth housing in Qaanaaq.
– Young people with children who still live with their parents will be happy if they get the opportunity to have their own home, says Poul.
However, Poul emphasizes that it is not only young people who lack housing.
– I want modern housing to be built with a rent that people can afford, for example for early retirees or as regular rental housing for everyone. The old houses could be demolished and replaced by new ones, says Poul.
Poul says that he owns a house that was built after 1953, but that as an early pensioner he cannot afford to renovate it himself.
– I contacted the municipality two or three years ago about the possibility of renovation, but to this day I have never received a reply, says Poul.
