Erik Pelling (S) about SVT's review: "There is no alternative"

- We will follow up the results of this change and see if you can support these families in further ways, says Erik Pelling.

It was in 2019 that Uppsala municipality stopped paying financial assistance to people with illegal contracts.

According to Erik Pelling (S), the measure has had a good effect.

- It is more difficult to rent out black in Uppsala today and that was exactly the goal we wanted to achieve.

Then we know that it can hit individuals hard, but continuing to feed a criminal economy also hits individuals hard.

So you think it's worth it for individuals to get stuck?

- Yes, but there is no alternative, we can not fight crime with public funds.

SVT's review shows that the aid stop makes the life situation even more difficult for families with children.

According to Erik Pelling, the municipality ensures that no children become homeless.

- It is highly regrettable.

That is why we also offer temporary housing so that no family with children is placed on the street.

Have not investigated the result

What is it that indicates that this has had a positive effect, have you done any research on it?

- No, I do not have that statistic.

But I assume that if we stop paying money to those who rent out black, we will make it more difficult for them.

The reason why many people live on black contracts is that there are big problems in Uppsala's housing market, and that is the municipality's responsibility?

- But it is not the municipality that has created this.

It is the lack of a state housing policy and state tools that enable us to pursue an effective local housing policy.

Even though we do not have the tools, we have still come a long way in improving the housing market in Uppsala.

Hear more from Erik Pelling in the clip.