More refugees receive Reykjavík City services under new agreement
The City Executive Council approved extending two agreements with the state yesterday regarding services for refugees. The first agreement covers services for recognized refugees who have been granted refugee status by authorities. The second covers services for asylum seekers
1,800 individuals receive services at any given time
The new service agreement for coordinated refugee reception is valid until December 31, 2025. It provides services for 1,800 individuals at a time. The City receives payment for the first three years an individual receives services. This is an increase of 300 individuals from the previous agreement's 1,500 person limit.
Rannveig Einarsdóttir, Director of the Department of Welfare, says extending the agreement and increasing the number of individuals covered is important. "At Reykjavík City, we've built extensive knowledge in refugee services. Overall, implementing the service agreement has gone well," Rannveig says. "However, the number of refugees in coordinated reception has exceeded the agreed number, reaching 1,800 at one point. It's important the renewed agreement reflects this situation, especially since the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor announced it won't pay for more than the agreement specifies as of November 18."
Since 2015, 6,105 individuals with refugee status have received services from the Department of Welfare. 31 Department of Welfare staff serve this group, providing social counseling, basic assessments, support plans, psychological support, access to engagement resources, and various classes on parenting and Icelandic society. They also assist with housing searches, applying for housing benefits and support, setting up homes, healthcare registration, obtaining electronic IDs, opening bank accounts, and communicating with other institutions. Additional services may be needed, as a person's counselor is often their only connection to society.
300 asylum seekers receive services
The City Executive Council also approved extending an agreement with the Directorate of Labor for services to asylum seekers. The agreement still covers services for 300 people at a time and is valid for three years from January 1, 2025. The main change in the new agreement is that Reykjavík City now commits to providing housing for 150 of the 300 individuals covered, while the Directorate of Labor will house the other 150. Previously, Reykjavík City was responsible for housing all 300.
Services for asylum seekers are provided by a 14-person team. Services include social counseling, support plans, engagement resources, classes, group activities, and assistance with school enrollment for children, preschool, recreation, and other needs. Asylum seekers also receive swim passes and gym memberships.