Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
162
asylum applicants (88,200) were housed in assisted housing facilities (called ABO164
accommodation), while nearly 30 percent had found their own accommodation (48,800).165
Asylum applicants who find their own housing and become unable to house themselves at a
later date can request placement in ABO housing throughout the application process.166
Several different types of assisted accommodation are offered (see Figure 24). During the
surge of arrivals in the fall of 2015, the Migration Agency also utilized emergency shelters and
facilities provided by the municipalities (such as school gyms or unused buildings) to house
between 10,000 and 20,000 additional people.167
Once a residence permit is granted, the Employment Service coordinates the placement of
protection beneficiaries who require housing assistance, with the aim of matching
beneficiaries with housing in areas where they are likely to find jobs. In practice, however, this
has been difficult to accomplish due to the severely limited housing stock in most
municipalities, and the Migration Agency will be taking over the placement functions of the
Employment Service in 2017.168 Municipalities have the primary responsibility for making
housing available to the Employment Service for those who require assistance. As of 2017, a
formula negotiated by the Migration Agency, the Association of Communities and Regions (a
national body representing municipal- and county-level governments), and the Employment
Service will assign refugees to each of the 21 counties in Sweden, based on total population,
the existing number of protection beneficiaries in the county, and labor market conditions.
The process for settling unaccompanied minors differs substantially from that used for adults.
Because most social services in Sweden are organized and provided at the municipal level,
minors are the responsibility of the municipal social care units as soon as they come to the
attention of the authorities.169
Two types of shelter are provided for minors. First, municipalities offer emergency shelter
immediately after minors express an intention to claim asylum until they receive a permanent
housing assignment, usually just two or three days after entering the system.170 Once
unaccompanied minors are assigned to a municipality, they are typically housed in structured
group homes (called HVB171 accommodation) with trained staff on hand to provide counseling
and activities. Foster care with families is reserved for the youngest children.172 Some
municipalities are also moving toward placing older children who require less supervision in
what is known as “light accommodation,” centers that have less intensive staffing and service
provision.173
164 Known in full as Anläggnings-boende (ABO).
165 The remaining 20 percent, which primarily includes unaccompanied minors, were housed in other types of facilities.
Migrationsverket, “Persons with accommodation in the Swedish Migration Agency’s Reception System,” updated May 1,
2016
166 Migrationsverket, “Accommodation,” updated June 1, 2016,
167 Interview with Fredrik Nilsson, Accommodation Unit, Operational Department, Migrationsverket, April 15, 2016
168 Interview with Jennie Larsson, Integration Researcher, Swedish Employment Service, April 13, 2016.
169 According to Law on the Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others, Chapter 3
170 Interview with Christina Grönberg, Social Development Unit, and Anna Mattsson, Stockholm Municipal Government,
April 13, 2016; and interview with Ulrika Wickman, Head of the Social Welfare Department, Lene Cordes, Unit for Children
and Families, Tarek Borg, Unit for Reception of Unaccompanied Minors, Malmö Municipal Government, April 14, 2016.
171 Known in full as Hem för Vård eller Boende (HVB).
172 European Migration Network, Policies, practices and data on unaccompanied minors in 2014: Sweden(Swedish Migration
Agency and European Migration Network, 2014),
do/networks/european_migration_network/reports/docs/emn-studies/unaccompanied-
minors/27a_sweden_uam_national_report_en.pdf
173 Interview with Ulrika Wickman, Head of the Social Welfare Department, Lene Cordes, Unit for Children and Families,
Tarek Borg, Unit for Reception of Unaccompanied Minors, Malmö Municipal Government, April 14, 2016.