A whole century of place-making - the housing company turns 100

It is a sprightly pensioner that resides in the old weaving mill at Viskaholm in central Borås. The property company Bostäder i Borås was formed on Lucia Day 1923 and has been part of the city's development ever since. For the past few years the company has been on a major journey of change, and at the same time it is looking forward to a 100th anniversary that will last a whole year.

- We have been creating places for the people of Borås for a hundred years now, says Sophia Jonsson, head of communications at Bostäder i Borås. Places to live in, to meet in and to make memories in. And we intend to carry on. Over the coming year we are putting a little extra shine on everyday life. No big galas, but many smaller celebrations and everyday luxuries instead. We want to create more places for people, and we hope it will be appreciated by our tenants, our staff and other people in Borås.

On Lucia Day 1923, Borås city council decided that it was high time to do something about the housing shortage in the city. The textile industry had drawn many people to Borås and overcrowding was widespread. That is why AB Bostäder i Borås was formed - a housing company that would ease the housing shortage and offer homes to everyone. The first buildings went up in 1924 in the Byggmästaren block in Norrby, public housing apartments that gave long-awaited homes to some of the many textile workers. And the rest is history.

- We have worked under the municipal flag since the start in 1923, says Sophia Jonsson. That is both a reassurance and a challenge. For the past few years we have been changing our company from the inside. We are proud of our heritage, but it is important to develop and improve so that the people of Borås in the future also want to live with us. That way we make sure that the next hundred years give rise to new places and new chances for people to find a home.