Northern Switzerland Million-euro loans in the canton of Aargau for additional asylum accommodation

The Aargau government is applying for loans of around CHF 9.7 million for new asylum accommodation in Neuenhof AG and the extension of accommodation for young asylum seekers. The canton expects that 100 additional places will be needed this year for unaccompanied minors alone.

The capacities of the facilities for accommodating and caring for asylum seekers are almost exhausted, writes the government in its message to the Grand Council published on Friday. The cantonal accommodation in Neuenhof with 90 places in three apartment buildings will have to make way for a new building in the course of 2025.

The cantonal social services have the option of renting asylum accommodation with 120 places in a container settlement for five years from mid-2025. The Neuenhof municipal council supports the project in the Webermühle district. The cantonal council is requesting a commitment credit of CHF 5.5 million for the project.

Delayed construction projects make extension possible

The government wants to extend the service contracts for the accommodation of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMA) in Vogelsang/Gebenstorf and Windisch. The construction projects at the Lernwerk association and the Sofa Foundation sites have been delayed. It is therefore possible to continue the 70 places with additional loans of CHF 3.8 million and CHF 470,000 respectively.

Because the initial investments have already been made, the Department of Health and Social Affairs has been able to negotiate more favorable daily rates. From the extension, the Sofa Foundation will receive CHF 170 per place per day (previously CHF 210), while the Lernwerk association will receive CHF 138 (previously CHF 162).

Government council declared an emergency

Since January 2023, Aargau has had an emergency situation for refugee accommodation following a decision by the cantonal government. This makes it easier for the canton to find sufficient accommodation. "In an extreme emergency", the cantonal government can issue a confiscation order requiring municipalities and private owners to make suitable properties available.

SDA