As fewer and fewer asylum seekers need help with housing, the need for the Swedish Migration Agency's presence in certain places in Sweden also decreases.

To adapt the business, it is therefore proposed to close the offices in Mariestad, Borås, Jönköping and Högsby.

But this is not the first time the issue has been discussed. In 2017, similar proposals came and then provoked strong reactions from the people of Högsby, whose office was even then about to be closed down. A few months later, however, the news came that the office in Högsby was allowed to remain but that the staff would be reduced.

Customize the business

Now came a new proposal where again Högsby's office may be closed down. A possible decision will be made by Mikael Ribbenvik, Director General of the Swedish Migration Agency, in mid-September.

- We must adapt to the prevailing conditions and become a smaller and more efficient authority, says Åsa Lindberg, regional manager in the South.

Halving of accommodation places

The forecast for the number of asylum seekers has been lowered from 21,000 to 13,000 this year.

In June 2020, the Swedish Migration Agency had 20,054 housing places, the plan is to have 10,961 housing places in January 2022, ie almost a halving.

Högsby office will be closed in a year

According to the proposal, the operations at the office in Högsby will be discontinued by the end of next year.

- If there is a decision on liquidation, a restructuring process is initiated with negotiations, possible relocations and other measures. Only after that can we say something about how many people risk being fired, says Åsa Lindberg.

Today, about 20 people work at the Swedish Migration Agency's office in Högsby.