Aarhus mayor proposes 107 million kroner for vulnerable residents

Aarhus Mayor Anders Winnerskjold has proposed finding an extra 107 million kroner for people with disabilities, mental illness or serious social problems, DR reports. The funding would come from other parts of the municipal administration through a proposed “social percentage” in the 2027 budget.

Aarhus politicians have already approved 150 million kroner in savings for this year. Despite those cuts, the municipality expects to be short of a further 140 million kroner next year because of rising costs in the social services sector.

“It is an attempt to make a solidarity-based reprioritisation, where all parts of Aarhus Municipality contribute so that we can strengthen social services and ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents receive the help they need,” Winnerskjold said.

However, the additional 107 million kroner would cover only part of the shortfall, said Michael Christensen of the Liberal Alliance, the councillor responsible for social services and employment.

Christensen has joined council members from the Denmark Democrats and the Danish People’s Party in proposing a model under which the social services budget would automatically follow the sector’s actual costs.

“If the parties do not want to provide more money for social services, we will unfortunately face new cuts on top of the cuts we already decided on in the spring,” Christensen said.

City councillors will negotiate the 2027 budget in the coming weeks and are expected to reach an agreement by the end of September.