Six families have been evicted by a housing association in Århus due to the sons’ arson convictions

An Århus housing association has evicted six families after their sons were found guilty of arson, according to Århus Stiftstidende newspaper.

Brabrand Housing Association made the move after the Western High Court found the men guilty of the offence on Monday. Three men aged 19-20 were convicted in October 2008 of setting fire to a daycare facility in the area and sentenced to between three and a half years and five years in prison.

Three other younger men from the same housing block were also convicted in the case, and all six of the men’s families were evicted as a result of Monday’s decision.

The daycare facility that was burned is owned by Brabrand Housing Association, which the organisation said was a key factor in helping to support the evictions.

‘Since the facility is on our property and owned by us, we had the ability to terminate the tenancy of all six families,’ said Jesper Pedersen, president of the association.

But Pedersen said he expects the families to contest the evictions in housing appeals system, and that process can take a very long time. Previous instances where Brabrand Housing Association has had cases in the appeals system have taken several years to complete, meaning the families can remain in the flats until a final decision is reached.
 
Pedersen said that while he is not happy about the length of the process, he said that most of the association’s tenants likely support the evictions.

’We believe that most residents want sanctions for these criminals – even if it affects everyone in the family because one of their children has committed a serious crime.’