Grand Council AG Aargau creates 100 new residential places for underage asylum seekers
An additional 100 residential and care places for unaccompanied minors from the asylum sector (UMA) are being created in the canton of Aargau. The Grand Council approved a corresponding loan of CHF 10.3 million on Tuesday. More than 300 underage asylum seekers live in the canton of Aargau.
27.08.2024, 11:06
27.08.2024, 11:26
SDA
The decision was made by 124 votes to 10. All parties supported the procedure. However, part of the SVP parliamentary group rejected the loan. Asylum policy and immigration were cited as the reasons for the no vote.
The supporters stated that there were no alternatives to the project. There was a duty of care for minors. The aim was to integrate the underage asylum seekers assigned by the federal government well. They should complete vocational training and thus be prepared for an independent life.
The persons only live in supervised accommodation until the age of 18. It was pointed out in parliament that a follow-up solution is needed for young adults.
Integration is important
Jean-Pierre Gallati (SVP), the government councillor responsible, said that 99% of these young people would stay in Switzerland. "We are looking for solutions for the next 70 to 80 years in the lives of these young people. We have to integrate them."
The canton of Aargau wants to be prepared for the future with the 100 additional places. According to the canton, existing accommodation has been consolidated since the beginning of 2023, creating an additional 195 places. The current 373 places are therefore 87% full.
In order to have more places available quickly, the Department of Health and Social Affairs (DGS) of Cantonal Councillor Jean-Pierre Gallati (SVP) is relying on the assisted living form of accommodation. This form of care is already being practiced successfully in other cantons, according to the report.
Independent, older UMAs aged 16 and over are accommodated in decentralized residential groups. Caregivers would visit the young people on a weekly basis, at the beginning and more often if necessary.
These people would accompany the minors as needed on their way to an independent and self-reliant life. The Lernwerk association in Windisch AG and the Wendepunkt foundation in Muhen AG will take on this task. The canton has made the corresponding commitments.
