Mar 16 β€’ 08:28 UTC πŸ‡³πŸ‡΄ Norway VG

Record number of homeless people in Norway – over 1000 children without a home

A new report reveals that over 1000 children in Norway are homeless, with the total number of households lacking a stable home exceeding 7357 last year.

According to the Church City Mission, a staggering 7357 households in Norway were in need of housing assistance last year. Alarmingly, this number includes children, with 666 households reported to have had children living in them. This reflects a significant rise in homelessness, as the figure has increased by 2942 households over the past five years and by 280 households just since last year. The cities of Oslo and Bergen have seen particularly severe increases, with the numbers of homeless households doubling since 2021.

Adelheid Firing Hvambsal, the Secretary General of the Church City Mission, expressed deep concern over youth homelessness, stating that it is likely that over 1000 children in Norway are currently without a stable home. She emphasized the serious repercussions that homelessness has on children's mental and physical health, as well as the significant adversity it creates for their educational and professional opportunities. The challenges these children face, such as increased stress and isolation, set a troubling foundation for their future.

The Church City Mission has criticized Norwegian politicians for failing to adequately address the growing issue of homelessness and is calling for immediate action from the government. This pressing situation raises awareness of the need for effective policies and interventions to combat homelessness, particularly among vulnerable populations like children, and highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to what has become a critical social issue in Norway.

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