Housing crisis: Only 300 properties available for rent in Dublin
While supply is becoming virtually nonexistent, rents are increasing faster than anytime in the last 16 years
Despite few Ukrainian arrivals in this Austrian state, authorities have been making preparations for an influx
Last week, authorities in the Austrian Federal State of Salzburg said that they expected an influx of refugees and would prepare accordingly with admission centres. The centres should be fully operational by the end of this week and there will be two of them, one at the train station and one at the Salzburg Exhibition Centre.
Local authorities have said that they plan to operate with as little bureaucracy as possible to integrate Ukrainian refugees quickly. This was echoed by the EU’s decision to allow Ukrainians a stay of up to one year before they have to apply for additional documents.
At the same time, Salzburg’s Deputy Governor Heinrich Schellhorn explained that the unfortunate situation is an opportunity for the State of Salzburg to mitigate the current labour shortage.
Salzburg authorities will use a mixture of state-funded shelters, private citizens and hotels to provide accommodation for the refugees. According to a statement by the city, there is accommodation for at least 500 people. 250 spaces have been provided by charitable citizens and a further 250 by private hotels.
The main point of contact for new arrivals will be at the Salzburg Exhibition Centre, where authorities will collaborate with Caritas and the Red Cross. There, people will be tested for COVID-19, given medical care if necessary and referred to accommodations.
At the same time, people arriving at the train station would have access to emergency accommodation, which Caritas should set up in the near future. The state expects large numbers of people to be travelling by train, partially because the ÖBB offers free rides for Ukrainian refugees.
Unaccompanied minor refugees and kids will be transferred to local child protective services, who will act as sponsors and look for host families.
Upon arrival at the Salzburg Exhibition Centre, local authorities will register refugees’ professional qualifications when they are first admitted. This measure will allow authorities to expedite the process of integrating them into a working environment.
According to the ORF, authorities are considering a number of other integration measures, such as German courses, enrolment for children and possibly requalification courses. Heinrich Schellhorn was quoted, explaining that Salzburg has a low unemployment rate of 4.1% and desperately needs more labour.
Thus, the unfortunate situation presents an opportunity for the region. He continued: “We urgently need workers. That's why we want to find out quickly what they can do professionally.”
The country now joins Finland in urging the EU to stop the issuing of Schengen visas to Russian citizens
While supply is becoming virtually nonexistent, rents are increasing faster than anytime in the last 16 years
Share your thoughts on how the European funds can work better for you and people like you
The isle is a member of the Blue Municipalities Network, which aims to help clean up the Aegean Sea
This year, authorities will be boosting their efforts to get people familiar with different sides of the water body
The country is keen on doing its part to ensure technological independency for the EU
Eric Straumann appealed to local restaurant businesses and citizens to step in, facing the ban on watering due to the extreme drought
A giant underground reservoir will purify water and release it when needed, thus preventing drought and saving a lot of money for the municipality
Mayor Katja Dörner explained that the measure is aimed at low-income residents, as a response to rising fuel prices
If we already have low-emissions and low-speed areas, why not also have ones dedicated to lots-of-love?
Authorities in the city of Bonn have issued a warning to citizens to avoid the unpaved areas in the drying riverbed
The pets living with disadvantaged residents in the Portuguese capital have not been forgotten
These will be spread across 11 EU countries and will serve to support the EU Missions
The European Commission has accepted to develop the idea
An interview about AYR, one of the 2021 New European Bauhaus Prize winners
A conversation with the President of the European Committee of the Regions, about energy, climate change and the underrated importance of cohesion policy
Interview with Herald Ruijters, Director, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), European Commission
A conversation with the Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal’s first UN Resilience Hub