Øystæland

Flag of Øystæland

***Øystæland*** (Øystæ: Orstland) Is a Linari country in the North Blank Sea and the largest exporter of Great Blank Salmon in Linarus. Øystælands capital and largest city is Akrar, which has nearly the exact same population as Hlymrek. Øystæland was first colonized by people from Aska, Lintuna and Artyan who settled there around 500 AD. The name Øystæland is derived from the Lintunian word "øy" meaning "island," and the Askan term for "dweller on an island." Øystæland is home to three large rivers; the Gjermundssvei, the Glomma River and the Mjøsa River. It also contains several lakes such as the Lillefjorden and the Randsfjorden. Its northern regions are mostly forested with coniferous trees such as pine trees. In its southern regions, it becomes more arid, covered in shrubs and grasses. There is little agriculture in these areas, but the climate is perfect for grazing animals such as sheep, goats and cattle. The climate in this region varies very little staying cold throughout the year. Because of the cold climate, most food consumed here comes from fish and game hunted in the forests or fished from the many rivers that run through Øystæland. Most of the land in Øystæland is owned by the government, however, there is some private property. Many of the buildings found in Øystæland have been built by the government and there has been a huge push for the nation to reallow the privatisation of homes in Øystæland.

#### ***1976 Øystæland Public Housing Act:***

In 1976, Øystæland passed the Øystæland Public Housing Act essentially banning the private construction of homes and buildings on private land. This was done after the rapid increase of housing prices in Øystæland forced people into homelessness and poverty, the idea of the legislature with this act was to remove the requirement of going through private business to construct housing and instead be able to get homes built for the fraction of the cost through government housing. However, because of this, housing prices continued to rise until they were at their highest point in history, making Øystæland one of the most expensive countries in the world. With the passing of the Housing Act, the price of building materials rose dramatically, making it impossible for any kind of private business to build affordable housing.

#### ***1990s Øystæland Housing Crisis:***

The 1990s saw the beginning of what would come to be known as the Øystæland Housing Crisis. Between 1987-1995, the number of homeless in Øystæland increased by nearly 214,000, as nearly 35% of the population lost their homes due to the private housing industry scurrying to evict people from homes before they were transferred to the government for the major government buybacks. By 1995, over 40% of all children under 18 years old were living in households without permanent shelter. At the time, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,200 per month. For those living below the poverty line, it was virtually impossible to find a place to live. The only solution seemed to be moving to another country. During this period, there were tens of thousands of people who left Øystæland every day. At the height of the crisis, it was cheaper for new home buyers to fly to the USL and buy a home there.

#### ***1995 Øystæland New Affordable Housing Act:***

After years of rising costs, the government decided that something needed to change. They created a law called the 1995 Øystæland New Affordable Housing Act. Under the terms of the law, anyone who could afford a down payment could qualify for a loan and purchase a house or flat from the government. In return, the person buying the home had to agree to pay off the mortgage within twenty years or face heavy fines. This act helped lower the cost of housing significantly, but did not completely eliminate homelessness in the country, with scars from the late 80s still showing in Øystæland today.