Homelessness in Finland

Homeless people living alone in Finland (1987–2019).[1] Legend:
  Temporarily living with friends and relatives
  Housed in institutions, including homeless people to be released from prison
  Living outside, in temporary shelters, in dormitories, or in hostels
  No information available on the form of homelessness
Homeless families and couples in Finland (1987–2019)[1]
The decommissioned underpass tunnel near the gas bell of the power plant in Suvilahti, Helsinki in 1985. The tunnel served as a place for the homeless to stay in the 1980s.

Homelessness in Finland affected 4,396 people at the end of 2021.[2][1][a] Long-term homelessness affected 1,318 people.[2]

Finland and Denmark are the only European Union countries where homelessness is currently falling.[3] The country has adopted a Housing First policy, whereby social services assign homeless individuals rental homes first, and issues like mental health and substance abuse are treated second.[4][5] Since its launch in 2008, the number of homeless people in Finland has decreased by roughly 30%,[1] and the number of long-term homeless people has fallen by more than 35%.[3] "Sleeping rough", the practice of sleeping outside, has been largely eradicated in Helsinki, where only one 50-bed night shelter remains.[3]

The Constitution of Finland mandates that public authorities "promote the right of everyone to housing".[6] In addition, the constitution grants Finnish citizens "the right to receive indispensable subsistence and care", if needed.[6]

Since 2002, the Night of the Homeless event has been hosted throughout the country.[7] The events include demonstrations, food distribution, and movie screenings, among other activities.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) (2020). "Homelessness Reports". ara.fi. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) (2022-02-25). Asunnottomat 2021 (PDF) (Report) (in Finnish). Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  3. ^ a b c Henley, Jon (5 September 2023). "almost 1 million people across Europe are homeless on any given night". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  4. ^ Pohjanpalo, Kati (19 July 2019). "American Idea Inspires Finland to Slash Homelessness by 40%". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. ^ Y-Foundation. "Housing First in Finland". ysaatio.fi. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b Ministry of Justice, Finland. "The Constitution of Finland" (PDF). finlex.fi. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  7. ^ "In English - Asunnottomien yö -kansalaisliike". asunnottomienyo.fi/. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Night of the Homeless highlights women". Yle. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2020.


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