During the car testing season from December to March, Arjeplog experiences a significant increase in its population, growing from approximately 2,600 residents to nearly 7,000. This surge creates a housing crisis as the municipality tries to accommodate the influx of temporary workers in the automotive testing industry. Ludvig Viklund highlighted the challenge, noting that providing adequate housing for all is a complex puzzle, particularly when rental prices soar.

To address the demand, Arjeplog has around 2,300 commercial bed spaces available, in addition to 500-600 non-commercial beds specifically for the car testing sector. Moreover, about 340 private homes are rented out to these testers. The situation is exacerbated by high rental costs, with prices reaching up to 80,000 kronor per month for a house, which is unaffordable for local workers in sectors like healthcare. This disparity raises questions about the sustainability of such a housing demand.

Municipal officials are trying to alleviate the pressure by providing temporary accommodation options, like using facilities at Stugan, the former student housing, until more permanent solutions are found. However, Anna Kaltenegger, the municipal chief, emphasized that finding adequate housing for local workers remains a challenging issue. This situation highlights the broader implications of a rapidly growing temporary workforce and the need for balanced housing solutions that can cater to both local residents and workers in industries vital to the region's economy.