Jennifer, a 35-year-old woman whose real name is different, ended up on the street when social services denied financial assistance for an apartment. According to SVT Nyheter Stockholm, municipalities in the county refer homeless families with children to a hotel in Spånga's Lunda industrial area, despite addicts and criminals among residents. Jennifer described the situation as desperate.
She said a social worker in Hässelby told her 'we have other alternatives' and meant the worn-out hotel building. It has been documented that crime-ridden individuals stay at the hotel. ' Her teenage son nods in agreement that what she says is true.
One also takes into account that it is a family with children and refers to the accommodations that one knows are suitable for children.
As unemployed and with debt to the Swedish Enforcement Authority, it is difficult for her to be accepted as a tenant anywhere. They have lived at the hotel in Spånga for two weeks now, and during the entire last year, they lived at a similar hotel in Jakobsberg. ' Regular rental apartments from public housing are available for Stockholm City to provide to those in special need, but Jennifer has not been considered needy enough.
The Social Administration of Stockholm City does not comment on individual cases. Division manager Anna Mattson sees nothing wrong with the children living at the hotel, despite the problems that have been revealed. ' This contradicts reports that the hotel is not suitable for children due to addicts and criminals among residents.
The exact reasons why social services denied Jennifer financial assistance initially remain unknown.