Finland ends homelessness and gives shelter for all in need

In Finland, the number of homeless people fell so much. Reason: The country applies to “housing first” concept. Those affected by homelessness have received a small apartment and counseling – without any initials. 4 to 5 people affect such restoring a steady life. And: It’s all cheaper than accepting homelessness.

Updated November, 10th 2020

This article was updated in February, 524. An additional article with a new interview with recent events appear HERE.

Read this German article HERE.

Finland is the only country in Europe where homelessness is to decrease

In 2008 you will find the villages in the tent and huts that stand among the trees in the helsinki parks. Homeless people built makeshift houses in the middle of the finland capital. They are set in violent weather conditions.

Since the 1980s, Finnish governments are trying to reduce homelessness. Short-term residences are built. However long homeless people left. There are very few emergency habitats and many affected unchanged homelessness: they don’t find jobs – without a house address. And unemployed, they do not find flat. It’s a fierce circle. In addition, they have problems applying for social benefits. Everything all, people are homeless.

But in 2008 The Finnish government is introduced a new policy for homelessness: It begins to implement “housing first” house concept. Since then the number of people affected falls down.

Finland is setting up his own target: No need to live in streets – every citizen should have a home.

And the country was successful: This is the only country where the number of homeless people refused.

Housing First: How Everything Is Household in Finland

These are the ngos like “Y-Foundation” that gives home for those in need. They take care of themselves, buy flats in the private house market and repair existing flats. Apartments have one to two rooms. In addition, former emergency courters changed apartments to offer long house.

“It’s clear to everyone that the old system doesn’t work; we need radical change,” says Jaha Kaakinen, Director of Y-Foundation.

Homeless people become tenants with rental agreements. They also have to pay for rental costs and expenses. Social workers, with offices of residential buildings, can help financial issues such as applications for social benefits.

Juha Kaakinen is the head of Y-Foundation. NGO received discounted loan from the state to buy home. In addition, social workers who care for the homeless and future tenants paid by the state. Finnish Lottery, on the other hand, supporting NGO when market apartments purchased in private house. Y-Foundation also received regular loans from banks. NGO later uses rental income to pay off loans.

“We have to take the night’s homes and short-handed hostels we’ve been opened before. They have a long history of Finland, and all they can see that they don’t get homeless people.” (Juha Kaakinen, Director of Y-Foundation)

That’s how the first “housing first concept works

The policy applied to Finland is called “housingfirst”. It repeats the usual assistance assistance. Usually, those affected is expected to find a job and free themselves from their psychological problems or addictions. Only then they help find accommodation.

“Housing first”, on the other hand, returned the passage: No homeless people – don’t have any initials. Social workers can help them applications for social benefits and available for counseling overall. In such a new, definitely state, more convenient for those who are affected by finding a job and take care of their physical and mental health.

The result is amazing: 4 in 5 homeless people can keep their flat in a long time with “home first” and lead a more stable life.

In the last 10 years, the first “housing first” program provides 4,600 homes in Finland. Meanwhile 2017 there are about 1,900 people living on the streets, the program will reduce this number to Less than 1000 Long-term homeless in 2019 – but there are enough places for them in emergency shelters so they can no longer sleep outside.

Giving people with apartments are cheaper than leaving it on the road

Creating home for people is worth money. In the last 10 years, 270 million euros are spent building, buying and repairing the house as part of the “housing first” program. However, Jua Kaakinen pointed out, it is less than the cost of homelessness itself. Because when people are in emergency situations, emergencies are always often: attacks, wounds, breaks. Police, health care and health systems and justice are often called the step – and it is also worth money.
In comparison, “housing first” is cheaper than receiving homelessness: today, the state spends 15,000 euros homeless than before.

No Miracle is healing – but a high success rate

In 4 of the 5 people who keep their flats, the “housing first” effectively. To 20 percent of cases, people will come out because they want to stay with friends or relatives – or because they do not handle the rental. But even in this case they did not fall. They can apply again for an apartment and also support if they want.

Of course, there is no guarantee for success. Especially homeless women are more difficult to reach: they often keep their emergency status: they live regularly with streets or acquaintances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsfhv-mcdpo