Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq operates two hostels in Nuuk with a total of 80 places, and over the summer the hostels experienced an increase in the number of users.
Since 1 September, the municipality has therefore expanded capacity by setting up an emergency hostel offer for women in the former day care center Umiaq in Nuussuaq. The new women’s hostel has 16 places.
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq operates two hostels in Nuuk with a total of 80 places, and over the summer the hostels experienced an increase in the number of users.
Since 1 September, the municipality has therefore expanded capacity by setting up an emergency hostel offer for women in the former day care center Umiaq in Nuussuaq. The new women’s hostel has 16 places.
The municipality’s administration informs the politicians in the Committee for Economy and Business. The expansion was initially made by chairman’s decision, and the administration proposes that the politicians approve that Umiaq must continue as a temporary hostel for the next three years, until a new homeless service with a women’s ward is expected to be ready.
Until the establishment of the women’s hostel in Umiaq, 12 hostel places have been dedicated to a women’s section at the hostel on Kujallerpaat.
– The women’s ward at Kujallerpaat has 12 places, which are typically fully occupied, which means that women are currently placed in the men’s ward. This is not optimal, as it is often vulnerable and exposed women, the administration writes about the conditions.
The women’s ward at Kujallerpaat has now moved to Umiaq, which has freed up capacity for male users of the hostel.
At the same time, space has been created in the municipality’s other hostel, Ungaaq, for an expansion from 44 places to 52. This increases the hostel capacity in Nuuk by a total of 24 places from 80 to 104.
The administration estimates that if the expansion of capacity is not maintained, it may become necessary to reject citizens who need a place in a hostel, or to accept a continued vulnerable position for the women who today do not have access to a gender-segregated place.
The continued use of Umiaq as a hostel will depend on a change in land use being approved. The change must, among other things, be subject to neighbor consultation.
In addition, it is estimated that eight employees will be employed to run the hostel, which will provide approx. 2.4 million DKK in annual salary expenses.
The administration points out that there is no legislation in the area of the homeless, and that hostel operation is therefore not required by law. The problem has been brought up to Naalakkersuisut, it reads:
– The administration considers that social legislation in the area is essential to ensure a coherent effort for the citizens and will be able to reduce the need for offers in the municipality through uniform requirements for the creation of similar offers in other cities. The lack of legislation also means that the municipalities have not received funds to set up or run the homeless services, writes Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s management.
