Government sets aside millions for refugee efforts in Denmark

325 million kroner to help house and integrate refugees next year

The Social and Internal Affairs Ministry has revealed it intends to allocate 325 million kroner to assisting the municipalities in Denmark handle the increase in refugees expected to arrive in Denmark in 2016.

The funds, which have been earmarked for housing and integration, were agreed to as part of an agreement between the government and the local government association KL.

“We are in an extraordinary situation at the moment and that requires a special short-term effort by the municipalities in order to offer housing and to get the refugees into school and jobs,” said Karen Ellemann, the social and internal affairs minister.

“We will also follow the development in the area and, more specifically, we must team up with KL to look at the options for a further streamlining of the integration regulations and the general finances for the arena.”

READ MORE: Denmark agrees to take in more refugees

Housing and integration
Some 125 million of the 325 million kroner will be spent on a quick expansion of the housing capacity and the remaining 200 million kroner will be used for integration purposes.

The funds will be distributed to the municipalities based on their quotas for 2015 and 2016.