Switzerland scrabbles for refugee housing after funds rejected
Switzerland is struggling to house an increasing number of asylum seekers and refugees.
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The Swiss army and 26 cantons have been asked to find extra accommodation space for 3,000 refugees after parliament refused to approve federal funds to alleviate logjams.
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A special federal task force on asylum has called for the temporary beds to be made available between this September and February 2024.
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Why asylum in Switzerland remains elusive for Afghan refugees
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Despite the deteriorating human rights situation under the Taliban, the Swiss continue to resist calls to facilitate entry and protection for Afghans.
Cantons that accept at least 5% of new asylum seekers are asked to provide 200 extra spaces, while those that take in 3-5% are expected to nominate 150 spaces. Cantons that account for less than 1% of asylum seekers need to find 100 spaces.
The new accommodation will be rented by the federal migration authorities, according to the plan announced on Friday.
The army, which as so far provided 3,800 spaces for asylum seekers, will also be asked to chip in to house the thousands of refugees expected to arrive in Switzerland.
Last year Switzerland registered 24,500 asylum-seekers, a 64% increase from the previous year. This excludes some 75,000 Ukrainian refugees, who received a special protection status through an accelerated registration process.
Refugee numbers this year are forecast to most likely reach 27,000 this year but could rise to 40,000 depending on geopolitical developments.
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Swiss government plans more accommodation for asylum seekers
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The Swiss government has asked parliament to set aside CHF132.9 million ($155 million) to create additional accommodation for asylum seekers.
Parliament again rejects extra funding for refugee housing
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The Senate has for a third time rejected extra funding to build housing for the mounting number of refugees in Switzerland.
Swiss asylum requests expected to remain high in 2023
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The head of the State Secretariat for Migration says that the economic consequences of the Ukraine war are expected to keep asylum requests high.
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