The Moderates decided at their last congress in the fall of 2017 to work towards introducing a rental system that is more similar to market rents ahead of the 2018 election. What does that mean?
In Sweden we currently have a so-called utility value system. This means that rents in public housing companies are set based on various social factors: the location of the home, proximity to shops and public services, etc. The idea is that rents should be reasonable. As is well known, everyone needs somewhere to live. However, the Alliance wants to replace the utility value system with market rents . The purchasing power of people should determine how and if they get a home.
If rents were raised significantly and generally, the middle class would be forced to move to worse, cheaper apartments. Many of those who currently live in worse, cheaper apartments would become homeless. Those who could stay would have to live in extremely crowded conditions, which is a health hazard in itself with a risk of tuberculosis, among other things.
The economy would also be worse off with higher rents. With more reasonable rents today, many people can afford not only to pay their rent but also to keep many companies running with their consumption of their companies' goods and services. This consumption alongside rent would decrease significantly with a generally significantly more expensive rent.
The Tenants' Association works actively to ensure that "everyone has the right to good housing at a reasonable cost". You can join the Tenants' Association here.
PS. Read more about the red-green plans for lower rents in Gothenburg.