The most dangerous place for women exposed to violence is in the home, and access to a safe home is crucial to the well-being and lives of women and children. Therefore Sveafastigheter is now starting a collaboration with Unizon's housing bank, where Sveafastigheter will give women and children exposed to violence priority to the company's apartments.
There is a great shortage of rental housing for women who are about to leave the sheltered housing for women. In addition, only a few real estate owners give priority to women and children exposed to violence.
– Sveafastigheter wants to offer homes to more people. By giving priority in our housing queue to women and children exposed to violence, we use our property portfolio to contribute to a safer and more equal society by giving a particularly vulnerable group the opportunity for a safe home and a life free from violence, says Jennie Argerich, business developer and Head of Social Sustainability, Sveafastigheter.
Unizon's housing bank receives 50-60 applications per month, and there is a great need for more real estate owners to join the initiative.
– We offer safe and good housing throughout our portfolio. Since we are present in many parts of Sweden, women have the opportunity to change apartments within our portfolio, if, for example, their addresses were to be disclosed. We hope more real estate owners will join this initiative, says Ola Svensson, Head of Property Management,. Sveafastigheter.
Unizon brings together the majority of women's shelters in Sweden. Unizon collaborates with the Her House Foundation, which provides apartments for women and children exposed to violence. Together, they have had a collaboration with Unizon's housing bank since 2024. In the first year, they helped 150 women with housing.
– With Unizon's Housing Bank, we take a unique holistic approach and provide women and children with security and safety, with emergency protection in sheltered housing and the opportunity for a safe home and a new start in life. It is a strength and a safety aspect that several real estate owners are involved in and contributeing to, with housing all over the country. We are so happy and proud that Sveafastigheter is now involved. Together we save lives, says Olga Persson, chairwoman of Unizon.
Read more at: unizonjourer.se/boendebank
