Axel Agnred, who has autism and an intellectual disability, has lived in an LSS residence with round-the-clock staff support in Gothenburg for nine years. According to the municipality, it wants to move Axel Agnred to a more independent living arrangement. The family describes the municipality's plan to move Axel Agnred as a catastrophe. Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M) is very concerned about cases where individuals like Axel receive changed decisions after many years.
Significantly more people are being denied applications for housing with special service in Gothenburg municipality now compared to 2021, according to reports. According to Marie Brynolfsson, the increase in denials is because officials making decisions have started following court rulings in previous cases (legal precedent). The governing politicians in Gothenburg have clarified to the administration that legal precedent should be a minimum for what is done for an individual, not a ceiling, they say.
We take help from lawyers to try to break the lease agreement.
Marie Brynolfsson (V), the responsible municipal councilor for disability rights in Gothenburg, says the development where people lose or have reduced LSS support is not desirable. Marie Brynolfsson believes a review of the legislation is needed because it has been eroded over a long time. The government says it has tasked the National Board of Health and Welfare with supporting municipalities in their assessments and does not rule out changes to the law. Knut Agnred, Axel's father, welcomes the words from politicians but thinks they are not enough and urges faster action.
The Care Administration reacted immediately when LSS employees signaled they felt unsafe and decided to leave the apartments in the houses in Valla, according to accounts. According to Lena Hellberg, the municipality is seeking help from lawyers to try to break the lease agreement for the Valla properties. The municipality's lease agreement with the property owner is for 10 years, it is reported. Lena Hellberg, unit manager within care and welfare, says citizens felt unsafe in the Valla properties. According to Lena Hellberg, the municipality's lawyers are investigating whether it is possible to break the agreement or get a short notice period. Lena Hellberg says if it becomes impossible to break the lease, it may be relevant to have LSS residences in the houses again, but only after the municipality, police, and property owner create a safe environment in the area.
But here it is about citizens feeling unsafe.
Other individual cases show systemic failures in LSS implementation. According to Jenny Ledelius, her son lost his housing support the day after a meeting with the municipality, contrary to what the caseworker had promised. Jenny Ledelius has won her case in the administrative court. Jenny Ledelius describes the municipality's action as a stab in the back. According to reports, the Social Committee in Pajala municipality has taken too long to arrange a housing intervention for a child who was granted it under the LSS law. When the Parliamentary Ombudsman asked the committee to explain, nearly eight more months had passed and the intervention for the child had not been made, sources indicate. The committee thought it had arranged another solution by having the child live with a relative, it is reported.
Personal impact and unanswered questions about LSS implementation persist. Gunnar says, "LSS stands for support and service, but I am the only support my daughter has."
Clearly there is a concern that we will be stuck with a long lease agreement.
We need LSS places, but not in a messy area.
They also say that something must be done. But it goes so slowly. It goes too slowly. Put some speed and implement this faster. It is urgent. It is today. Start now. Get going. Kick in the butt.
It is like a stab in the back from the municipality's side.
LSS stands for support and service, but I am the only support my daughter has.