Agneta Jaktland in one of the rooms in the modular units.
The company incurred a loss of 13 million kronor following Northvolt’s bankruptcy and now has numerous vacant rooms available for rent. Only a few hundred of the 1,200 rooms are currently occupied.
Away has consequently submitted a proposal to the Skellefteå municipal executive committee.
– We believe student housing is a viable idea. We need to reconsider our operations, and they can be adapted accordingly. We are open to various suggestions, says Agneta Jaktland.
She points out that the location at Solbacken is good, situated next to the shopping area and the Vitberget recreation area. There is also a direct bus line to Campus.
– There are also common areas that could function a bit like a student union building. The area could even be divided so that students live in a designated section.
The rooms are 13 square metres, with a toilet, shower, and facilities for light cooking. Each has its own entrance, and there are caretakers on site, along with laundry rooms.
One of the common areas in the modular village.
What would be the rent for a student apartment?
– We haven’t discussed that. It would be Skebo or another party renting the modules second-hand and then subletting them to students, she says.
Even though the rental market has eased significantly recently, there still doesn’t seem to be much student accommodation available. A search on Skebo’s website only brings up two options.
Johanna Persson, chair of the Student Association at Campus Skellefteå.
Johanna Persson, chair of the student association at Campus, shares that they have been in "informal talks" with Away but haven’t yet discussed the matter enough to make a statement.
– More student housing of higher quality in the city is always better for the students, she writes and adds:
– Geographically, it is farther from Campus than other student housing, but as long as there is public transportation that meets the students’ needs, we don’t see any problem with the location.
The modular housing area was created for Northvolt workers but has been depopulated since the autumn.
Away notes in its statement that much is currently on hold in Skellefteå.
– Like many others, we put all our eggs in the same basket. There's not enough business at the moment o run the place. We want to reduce the number of modules but want to do it in a smart way, says Jaktland.
She points out that several projects are happening in the city that could change the circumstances. The hospital is being expanded, the Norrbotnia Line is being built, and an electrolyser plant is set to be built at Rönnskär.
– It’s still a bit far off. But imagine if Northvolt and Revolt are bought up. Then there will need to be apartments nearby, not in the outskirts. We hope to hold on until these projects get underway, but we need to find a way through this period, she says.