The housing situation in Paamiut calls for immediate political action, if it is up to the citizens of the city.
Earlier this year, more than 100 Paamiut citizens signed a petition to, among others, the Government of Greenland and the Sermersooq Municipality on the matter.
According to the signatories, the main problems are that several citizens in the city are homeless, some families live in unsuitable and unacceptable conditions, and that citizens are in some cases forced to leave the city because it is difficult to find suitable housing.
In a message to Sermitsiaq, a representative of the citizens states that after correspondence with the municipality and the Government of Greenland, they now want a citizens' meeting to be held in Paamiut with the physical participation of responsible decision-makers, as well as a concrete and binding action plan.
According to the citizens, the problems have been acknowledged, but concrete and sufficient solutions are lacking.
Municipality: We are working on building new homes
Mayor of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, Avaaraq Olsen (IA), responded to the collection of signatures in February with a letter to the citizens.
In the letter, the mayor states that it is correct that a significant number of the Self-Government's homes in Paamiut have been demolished over a number of years due to the condition of the buildings and safety conditions.
According to the citizens' group, around 450 homes in Paamiut have been demolished over a number of years, which is part of the group's criticisms.
According to the mayor, the demolitions were necessary, but they had consequences for the overall housing capacity, which the municipality understands is experienced as burdensome.
However, the Sermersooq Municipality refers to the fact that in 2026 the municipality will make a tender for 14 elderly-friendly homes in the city, and approx. 45 million DKK has been allocated for the project. In addition, the self-government has planned the construction of 4 youth housing units.
- Overall, this means that there are 18 new homes on the way to Paamiut, targeted at both elderly and young citizens, the mayor says in the letter.
Naalakkersuisut: Homes have been demolished due to reduced housing needs
Naalakkersuisoq Aqqaluaq B. Egede (IA) has also responded to the citizens' inquiry. He writes, among other things, that the many homes in the city were demolished at a time when there was a significant housing surplus in the city.
Another two blocks have been vacated and are awaiting demolition in 2026, informs naalakkersuisoq. The blocks cannot immediately be put back into use to solve the current problems because they have been empty for a long time and have therefore been damaged.
According to information from INI, which naalakkersuisoq has obtained, there are 71 people on the waiting list for housing in Paamiut.
The feedback from the authorities has not satisfied the citizens, who therefore want a citizens' meeting on the matter and a binding action plan.
- We experience that responsibility is largely being shifted between authorities, while the situation worsens, writes the representative of the citizens to Sermitsiaq.
