Increased services for disabled people

This morning, Mayor Haraldur Líndal Haraldsson and Guðrún Þórðardóttir, chairperson of the Ás Support Association, signed a service agreement for a residential unit for disabled people at Klukkuvellir in Hafnarfjörður.

In 2013, the City of Hafnarfjörður and the Ás Support Association signed a letter of intent for Ás to build and operate three residential units for people with disabilities in Hafnarfjörður. The foundation stone for the first unit, at Klukkuvöllar, was laid on 3 February 2014.

The agreement signed this morning is a supplement to the residential options already available in Hafnarfjörður, as 10 homes for disabled people are already run by the municipality of Hafnarfjörður.

Ás Support Association intends to continue with the planned development once the necessary preparations for the next plots are complete.

It is expected that six residents will be able to move into Kirkjuvellina this summer.

Haraldur Líndal Haraldsson, the mayor, says the agreement with Ás Support Association is a landmark deal for the municipality. „The approach taken through this partnership will enable the municipality to develop specialised residential solutions in a shorter time and more cost-effective manner than before,“ says Haraldur.

Guðlaug Kristjánsdóttir, chair of the family council, says the agreement is a great cause for celebration, as it is important that the town offers a variety of living arrangements for disabled people. „We look forward to seeing life come into the house on Klukkuvöllar this summer and will follow up to ensure the plans for the other two houses are also realised.“

Talks are currently underway with Handicap International regarding the construction of a facility to replace an existing home that no longer meets required standards, and further ideas for residential solutions for young people with disabilities are in the pipeline.