Fattigauktion ('poor auction'), was a historical practice within Swedish poor relief during the 19th century, in which paupers were auctioned off to a bidder among the parishioners willing to house them in exchange for the lowest amount of money for their keep from the parish poor care board.
The first class consisted of a pauper unable to support themselves, usually meaning old people, orphans, and the physically or mentally disabled.
The law stipulated, that if there was not a poor house in the parish, then the parish poor care board was, by law, responsible for providing economic support for the pauper and must pay for food, clothing, housing, medical care and funeral.
The last Sunday before Christmas, the "auction" was held in the community house after church service.
As the parish poor care board wished to save money, the person making the lowest "bid" won the auction.