Survey reveals Tórshavn Municipality’s housing conditions are the worst in Faroe Islands

A recent survey conducted by Kringvarpið has revealed that Tórshavn Municipality ranks last among the largest municipalities in the country regarding housing conditions, scoring only 33 out of 100 points. The lack of adequate housing is particularly acute in Nólsoy, which became part of Tórshavn Municipality in 2005.

Nikolaj Falck, a member of Nólsoy’s local council, expressed his frustration with the situation, noting that despite the construction of a daycare facility soon after the island joined the municipality, little progress has been made since then. He announced his candidacy for the upcoming municipal elections in November, stating, “We feel completely overlooked by the municipality. If we have representation in the council, things can change.”

Falck highlighted the dire housing situation, stating it is exceedingly difficult to find a place to live and challenging to build new homes on the island. He emphasized that the municipality holds a significant role in providing plots of land for development. The previous council attempted to designate a few plots, but these were done without proper planning, leading to complications now as the foundation for development is lacking.

The cost of the available plots stands at 165,000 DKK, which poses a barrier for potential buyers needing to invest additional funds in planning. Falck, who has lived in Nólsoy since 1979, shared concerns about the aging population residing in older homes. Many residents end up feeling trapped with limited options, leading to a decline in the island’s population, which now stands at 219, down 44 from 2005. Despite joining a larger municipality, locals do not perceive significant benefits, fearing their unique needs are being ignored.