Eradicating Homelessness in Finland


credit:

Homelessness may be a global problem, but in Finland, it's a thing of the past.

The country has "virtually eliminated" homelessness within its borders through a policy known as Housing First, which focuses on providing housing to the homeless immediately and without preconditions, reports Cityscape.

"A person who is homeless goes directly into a rental apartment, either an independent apartment or a unit in a supported housing development and has the opportunity to choose services and supports," write Finnish experts Marybeth Shinn and Jill Khadduri in Cityscape.

"Staff in supported housing developments treat clients as equals and strive to build community."

In Helsinki, for example, the number of shelter and hostel beds fell from 2,121 in 1985 to 52 in 2016, while the number of supportive housing units grew from 127 to 1,309, and independent rental apartments from 65 to 2,433.

"The underlying principle of Housing First is that having a stable and secure home is a fundamental human right and a critical foundation for tackling other issues contributing to homelessness, such as mental health issues or substance abuse," write Shinn and Khadduri.

"By focusing on prevention, early intervention, and a comprehensive support system through wraparound services, Finland has shown the world that homelessness is a solvable problem."

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