Stockholm housing company renovates 423 emergency shelters

Familjebostäder, a municipal housing company, has launched a major renovation project for all 423 of its emergency shelters in Stockholm. The project, expected to continue until 2029, aims to ensure these facilities meet all functional requirements for high-alert readiness. The shelters, which currently accommodate approximately 34,000 people, are often used for storage or bicycle parking during peacetime but must be ready for use within 48 hours during a crisis.

Renovations will range from minor adjustments to significant structural repairs, including replacing gas-tight doors, updating ventilation and lighting, and repairing concrete structures. The facilities are designed to protect against shockwaves, fragments, gas, and radioactive fallout.

In conjunction with Sweden’s national Preparedness Week in September, several shelters will be opened to the public for educational purposes. In Nacka, the Finnboda shelter will host an open house on September 23 to inform residents about how shelters function and what to do in the event of an air raid alarm.