108 nursing homes to be in Vatnshlíð – Agreements signed

The Minister for Social Affairs and Housing and Vigdísarholt ehf. today signed an agreement on the construction and operation of a new 108-bed care home in Vatnshlíð, on Ásvallarbraut in Hafnarfjörður. A parallel agreement was signed between Vigdísarholt and the City of Hafnarfjörður regarding the allocation of a plot of land in the area.

The Minister, the Mayor and the Managing Director of Vigdísarholt toasted with hot chocolate with cream at the signing. „With this home in Hafnarfjörður, the town will be among the leading municipalities in terms of nursing and care for the elderly,“ said Kristján Sigurðsson, managing director of Vigdísarholt, on the occasion.

As stated in the ministry's press release, the precise location of the plot and its final size will be determined by the City of Hafnarfjörður once the area's detailed plan is available. The review of the master plan is expected to be completed next spring, and the plot will be ready for development in 2027.

The City of Hafnarfjörður grants the plot of land free of charge in accordance with the law. However, the City of Hafnarfjörður is permitted to collect road construction charges in accordance with the agreement between the state and local authorities on the division of responsibility for the development of nursing homes. Construction at Vigdísarholt shall commence no later than two years after the handover.

Inga Sæland, Minister for Social Affairs and Housing, says thatWith this declaration of intent regarding Vigdísarholt and the City of Hafnarfjörður, clear messages are being sent: „We are going to take action. We are going to build. And we are going to do it in partnership and with the public's best interests at heart.“ I sincerely congratulate the people of Hafnarfjörður on this milestone and look forward to seeing the project come to fruition."

Kristján Sigurðsson, managing director of Vigdísarholt, says sThe managers of Vigdísarholt are very excited about this new project and the development of a strong quality-of-life centre in the area: „The project is well aligned with Vigdísarholt's vision of comprehensive and ambitious services aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.  Vigdísarholt's plans include building a care home where well-being, respect and a person-centred approach are the guiding principles.“

Valdimar Víðisson, the mayor, says sThe development is intended to be about safety, service and dignity for older people and their families. „We are now going full steam ahead with the planning work so that the site will be ready for construction in 2027. This is a very important step for Hafnarfjörður and I welcome that we have a clear letter of intent for the construction of a care home with up to 108 beds. The need is great.“

Master planning and design will get underway in full following the signing of the letter of intent, and it is hoped that construction can begin in the first half of next year, so that a new care home can begin operations in 2029.

Caption: Top row: Margrét Vala Marteinsdóttir and Orri Björnsson, town councillors. Steingrímur Ari and Svanlaug Guðnadóttir from Vigdísarholt. Bottom row: Valdimar Víðisson, Mayor; Inga Sæland, Minister; and Kristján Sigurðsson, Managing Director of Vigdísarholt.