Finland: Battling with long-term homelessness
Newsletter 2010-5
Publication date : 2011-02-08
Despite impressive progress in tackling homelessness more generally (the number of homeless in Finland has gone from over 18,000 in 1987 to 10,000 in the period between 2001 and 2005 and since then down to 8,000), long-term homelessness remains a problem. There are two elements in the Finnish definition of long-term homelessness: length of time without a proper abode and people with chronic health and social problems. “The Finnish National Programme to reduce long-term homelessness” which runs from 2008 to 2011 radically differs from previous attempts to solve homelessness; adopting the “Housing First” principle it focuses on housing before dealing with any other problems that the homeless people might have. In sum, the main elements of the programme are: to ensure secure permanent accommodation with a tenancy agreement; to turn conventional shelters (which have been used in previous efforts to tackle homelessness) into supported, rented units; to help homeless people avoid eviction by providing housing advice services and financial support; to draft plans for individual rehabilitation and services; to provide guidance in use of normal welfare services; to encourage peer support and community building. The results so far have been impressive with the initial goal of producing 1,250 flats surpassed and overall funding exceeding original plans. Financing from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Health and the commitment of 130 employees who provide support services in the ten cities participating in the programme were crucial to progress. Letters of intent containing concrete implementation plans for how many new flats should become available over the period helped make things happen. A new homelessness reduction programme is being prepared for 2012 -2015 and the results of the evaluation meeting will feed into the exercise. In the future there will be more emphasis on flexibility, optimising support and encouraging independence. The future programme will continue to concentrate on the long-term homeless, but will also focus on certain target groups such as young people with drug problems, former prisoners, immigrants and homeless people with debts. The Peer Review took place in Helsinki, on 2-3 December 2010. It was hosted by Finland’s Ministry of the Environment. In addition to representatives from the host country, officials and experts came from Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and the Netherlands to assess the Finnish situation and provide information on their own national systems, contributions also came from two stakeholders: FEANTSA and EUROCITIES. A European Commission official from the Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion participated in the exercise as well. Finland’s experience in addressing homelessness confirms that key elements are access to housing and support provision on the basis of needs. The “Housing First” approach appears to work well. The main elements of a successful programme include: secure permanent accommodation, help avoiding eviction, plans for individual rehabilitation and services, guidance in use of normal welfare services, plus peer support and community building. Policies tackling homelessness should aim to reduce, solve and prevent homelessness not to administer it. It is always cheaper and better, even for countries which are not particularly wealthy to keep homelessness as low and short as possible. An effective strategy to tackle homelessness has to be evidence-based, comprehensive, multidimensional, participatory, sustainable, means-tested, pragmatic and include all stakeholders. Clear political will is necessary as is a mechanism to coordinate central and local government. Identifiable and measurable objectives should be set. The Peer Review participants concluded that there is an appetite for more exchange of information on strategies to address homelessness. Potential exists for the European Commission to encourage sharing of knowledge on issues such as staff training, exploration of “Housing First” approaches in different countries, examination of costs and benefits comparisons and promotion of exchanges between public administrations.
At the Institute the staff believe that giving homes to the homeless is the first step to dealing with any other problems they may have and it targets sections of the homeless population with the most demanding needs; those who suffer from alcoholism, HIV, depression and/or drug addiction.
The accomplishment of the project owes a great deal to cooperation between the Institute and the municipality of Helsinki; residents are sent by the municipality after an assessment by experts and places are given on the basis of needs.
In addition to a home, the Institute provides social support and 24/7 staffing. The different premises cater for three levels of care: supported accommodation, intensive support and assisted living. For five years, the use of rental contracts has worked smoothly with only three evictions in that period.
Residents can come and go as they please, they can leave as soon as they are ready but they have the security of knowing that there is no expiry date forcing them out at any point. There is an open-door policy but visitors are let in by a member of staff. A community feeling is nurtured so that residents care for each other.Lessons learned
