Oslo opens secret shelter for young adults without housing

Oslo has opened its first temporary shelter for young adults without a place to live, offering 22 beds for people aged 18 to 23 with no history of substance abuse.

The facility, operated by the city’s welfare agency under the Ungbo program, provides a secure environment for short-term stays. Its address is kept confidential to protect residents, according to Nina Hauge, the shelter’s daily manager.

Julianne Ferskaug, Oslo’s deputy mayor for social services, called the opening a landmark moment. “This is a real solution to a real problem,” she said. “The need for temporary overnight accommodation has risen sharply, and the crisis in the rental market shows no sign of easing.”

Figures from Statistics Norway show the number of households receiving temporary municipal housing in Oslo has doubled since 2021. Last year alone, 2942 more households were registered as homeless compared to five years earlier.

Ferskaug said the shelter specifically targets young adults because they face unique vulnerabilities. “Existing agreements don’t include dedicated options for this age group,” she said. “They need a different kind of safety net.”

The shelter is staffed around the clock and includes shared kitchens and bathrooms. Residents are expected to move on within a month, though longer stays may occur in practice. The project cost six million kroner to establish, with Oslo Housing Company handling renovations.