Eight of the county's municipalities state that they have housing deficits. Only Skinnskatteberg and Norberg state that there is balance in their entire housing stock. This shows the survey by the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning that the municipalities have answered and which the county administrative board in Västmanland is now compiling. The report is expected to be completed by mid-June.

Corona can affect

Many municipalities are also, or are currently planning to, build more housing. However, the responses were sent in January, that is, before the corona pandemic, and the situation can quickly change.

- It could be that housing construction is not getting started as planned, that many are pushing for their projects. This is a fairly probable development, says Anette Rydqvist, planning officer at the County Administrative Board.

- We have not yet done a complete review of the situation, you will probably have to wait for the summer before you can do this, says Anders Teljebäck (S), who is a municipal councilor in Västerås.

Housing for all

As important as more homes, according to the county administrative board, is how many can afford to rent or buy them. And clearly, collaboration is required. The government has just commissioned a study to see how the households that are furthest from the housing market can more easily obtain a home.

- It is the municipalities that are responsible for housing provision, but in order to achieve solutions, collaboration is needed at local, regional and national levels, says Anette Rydqvist.