UKHome
UKH opened a housing unit for young people in the old patient hotel in August 2020
Cooperation between MSB (Social Affairs and Employment) and MKB (Cultural Management)
– The project is supported by the Realdania Foundation, the Velux Foundation and the Bikuben Foundation
Thanks to ukh's users and the huge efforts of the employees, our dream of connecting housing came true. That is why we have now created a living environment where young students and young people without housing or social networks can be considered for housing. In this context, FGU students are regarded as students.
The focus of the project is to alleviate homelessness among young people in Aarhus and to turn a negative life situation into a positive one. No young person likes to be stalled like someone who's exposed. Therefore, ukhome agrees that all residents are simply considered like any other young person. Because, as they say, "things can happen in everyone's life." In addition, you have a home when you move in and you do not need to distinguish between them.
No young person likes to be stalled like someone who's exposed. Therefore, ukhome agrees that all residents are simply considered like any other young person.
At UKH, we know of young people without housing and social networks who benefit from being able to develop and socialize through activities, communal dining and good talk. Some of the house's young people also know about being new to the city, being a sofa surfer and having a need to get to know the city and find good friends and inclusive communities.
Specifically, the housing unit is established in the east wing of the house. There are 24 rooms, half of which are now rented out to young students, and the other half to young people without accommodation, through a collaboration with the Dorm Office. Craftsmen have been renovating, building and painting all the rooms and common rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms and toilets, and views of the rest of the old County Hospital. There is a shared kitchen on both floors and two shared living spaces on the ground floor for tenants. In addition, all rooms are furnished with a small kitchenette.
A social caretaker and a host have been hired to help facilitate communal dining, activities and workshops. They are happy to participate in a good dialogue and can help with study guidance, contact with networks, job search, etc. and a CTI (housing aid) can be attached if you need it.
If you are interested in applying for a home, you can write to Lea, who is a social caretaker in UKHome:
Lea Wulff Lütken: ash@kollegiekontoret.dk
If you have any questions about the project, you are welcome to write to Ruth and Lone, both of whom are associated with the project:
Ruth Morell: rmor@aarhus.dk
Lone Jensen: lonej@aarhus.dk
To learn more about the background to the project, read the city council setting:
Evaluation
In 2021, an evaluation report by UKHome was prepared by Carlberg. The report focuses on the impact of the physical framework on the well-being and community of the residents. The analysis in the report is divided into three spatial zones – 1) the individual dwelling in the form of the dorm room, 2) the common areas in the form of communal kitchens, hallways and common rooms, and 3) the local environment in the form of UKH and the local area.
You can find the report in the link below.