Reykjavík says closing trailer settlement followed fire service demands

Reykjavík’s decision to close the trailer settlement at Sævarhöfði came after the fire service demanded action over the condition of city-owned housing, city council chair Einar Þorsteinsson said.

Residents were told that electricity and water would be disconnected on November 1. The building where they can use a dishwasher and dryer will also close. Þorsteinsson said the fire service had begun threatening the city with daily fines because the properties could not remain in use without major renovations.

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We had to close several properties, simply at the request of the fire service.

The city had rented housing at Sævarhöfði, Gufunes and Skerjafjörður to various groups as part of a Covid-era measure. Reykjavík later ended several leases, he said, while the Sævarhöfði site moved toward redevelopment. The city does not plan to establish a dedicated trailer park, and Þorsteinsson said long-term residence in trailers is not permitted under Icelandic law.

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That is why the lease at Sævarhöfði was terminated, and this means there will be no activity there and the site is going to be redeveloped.

Twelve trailers currently stand at the site. After a resident said no alternative arrangements had been discussed, Þorsteinsson disputed that account. He said the welfare department had contacted everyone living there and offered advice and support about housing and their next steps.

Þorsteinsson also defended Reykjavík’s housing record, saying the city operates Iceland’s largest social housing system and supports nonprofit rental housing for lower-income groups. He said the city does more than any other municipality to help people with limited means find secure housing.

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All those who live there have been contacted by the welfare department and offered advice and support about what their next steps could be regarding housing and other matters.