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The Documentary: Ending homelessness the Finnish way

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Ending homelessness the Finnish way

16/01/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Ending homelessness the Finnish way

How Finland eliminated street homelessness by turning housing policy on its head

In 2007 Finland revolutionised its approach to homelessness, with remarkable results. What is the secret to its success, and what could other countries learn?

What happens if you give a homeless person a house, with no strings attached?

In 2007 Finland decided to switch to a radical new approach to homelessness called ‘housing first’, in which homeless people are simply offered their own apartment, with no expectations of them except paying the rent (usually covered by their benefits); alongside this they are given whatever support they need to remain housed, for as long as they need it. Proponents of 'housing first' argue that it is much easier for homeless people to sort out issues such as addiction or poor mental health when they have a secure home.

The results so far seem to bear this out: around 90% of people offered an apartment remain housed, a much higher rate than under the previous system.  However, critics argue that the approach could be much harder to implement in countries without Finland’s extensive social welfare system or good stock of affordable housing.

Erika Benke visits the Väinölä Housing Unit outside Helsinki, an emergency shelter which was converted into 35 individual flats for formerly homeless people. What difference has having their own place made to the residents? And are they off the streets for good?

Producer: Olivia Humphreys
An Overcoat Media production for BBC World Service

(Photo: The Väinölä Housing Unit outside Helsinki. Credit: Jouni Törmänen)

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