Women’s shelter in Akureyri, Iceland secures stable location for three years

The women’s shelter in Akureyri, Iceland, has secured a stable location for the next three years after facing uncertainty about its future accommodations. As the current lease is set to end at the start of the new year, the shelter’s management has signed a rental agreement.

Initially established in 2020 as an experimental project, the shelter became a crucial service in the region due to high demand. Its location is kept confidential, similar to its sister shelter in Reykjavik, to ensure the safety of its residents. The shelter is intended for women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence, providing them with a safe space, support, and guidance on their next steps.

While the search for a new building was challenging, the shelter’s manager noted that attempts to secure municipal housing were unsuccessful, leading them to opt for the private rental market instead. The new agreement is for three years, with an option to extend, providing a sense of security for the shelter’s operations.

There has been an increasing number of women seeking refuge in the Akureyri shelter, reinforcing its significance in the north. Many of these women may not have otherwise traveled to the capital’s shelter, highlighting the demand for local services.

The shelter invites women in need of assistance to contact them at any time, operating a 24-hour helpline. They also offer free interpretation services for women from foreign backgrounds who require support. The management’s aspiration includes eventually building a new shelter in the south to further expand their outreach.