Municipal housing in Norway

Municipal housing (kommunal bolig) is housing provided by a municipality for people who have difficulty finding or keeping suitable housing on the private rental market.

Municipal housing is normally intended for people who have a housing need and are unable to find a suitable home themselves. The municipality decides who can receive municipal housing according to local rules and criteria.

You normally need to apply to your municipality for municipal housing. The municipality may assess your housing situation, income, family situation, health or other relevant circumstances when considering your application.

Municipal housing is not automatically available to everyone who needs a home. The conditions and application process can vary between municipalities.

If you need municipal housing, you should contact your municipality and ask about the local application process, eligibility requirements and required documents.

If you are already living in municipal housing, you normally have a rental agreement with the municipality and must follow the conditions of that agreement.

If you are a newly arrived immigrant or have been granted a residence permit and are waiting to move to your assigned municipality, the municipality can provide information about housing arrangements related to your settlement.

If you need help with housing costs, you can also ask the municipality or NAV about possible financial assistance. Husbanken provides information about housing allowance and other housing support schemes.

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