Social resources
All residents of Hafnarfjörður should be able to live with financial and social security.
Housing
Social rented housing is for families and individuals who are unable to provide housing for themselves due to a poor financial situation or other social circumstances.
Social rented housing
Social rent is a temporary measure until people are able to rent or buy their own home. Changes in marital status, family size and financial circumstances can affect eligibility for a tenancy. The application must be renewed every year.
Who is eligible for social housing?
To be eligible for social housing, certain criteria regarding income, housing and social circumstances must be met.
Special housing support
Special housing support is financial assistance in addition to housing benefit. The support is for individuals and families in the private rented sector with low incomes and a heavy burden of living costs.
Applying for special housing support
To get specific housing support, you must first apply for housing benefit from Housing and Building Authority.
Conditions:
- Entitled to housing benefit.
- Be 18 years of age or older on the application date.
- Have their registered address in Hafnarfjörður.
- Rental accommodation must be in Hafnarfjörður, unless it is for children aged 15–17 who are renting a room in a boarding school or student halls of residence in Iceland for the purpose of studying away from their home address.
Amount of special housing support
Income-tested housing support is 90% of the amount of housing benefit. The support may be reduced for the following reasons:
- Support is not paid if total assets exceed 7,745,000 kr.
- The combined total of rent subsidies and special housing support cannot exceed 75% of the monthly rent.
- The combined total of rent subsidies and special housing support cannot exceed 100,000 krónur per month.
- The minimum rent cannot be lower than 50,000 krónur. The actual rent is the rent amount minus housing benefits and special housing support.