How Finland Virtually Ended Homelessness
Finland has implemented a groundbreaking strategy called Housing First to eliminate homelessness by 2027. Unlike traditional approaches, Housing First provides homeless individuals with small individual apartments without strict conditions, emphasizing housing as a fundamental necessity. Residents are not required to address underlying issues like mental illness or addiction before gaining housing. This approach, in place since the mid-1980s, has reduced homelessness in Finland to 0.1%, with Helsinki eradicating street homelessness.
The success of Housing First is attributed to its focus on permanent housing as a solution, challenging the traditional staircase method. The program has proven cost-effective, saving money in the long term by reducing emergency hospitalization and policing costs. Despite evidence of its effectiveness, widespread adoption faces challenges, including insufficient funding and the lack of affordable housing, rooted in the capitalist organization of the economy.
Finland's social democratic organization of the economy, with a high unionization rate and emphasis on housing as a right, contributes to its success. Critics argue that Housing First merely hides the problem by placing individuals in government-paid housing, but supporters contend that it offers controlled, safe environments for gradual reintegration into society. The Finnish government invests significantly in buying apartments, converting them, subsidizing developers, and employing social workers, but statistics reveal financial savings of €15,000 annually per housed homeless person.
The Finnish model's global replication faces challenges due to unique conditions in Finland, including city ownership of land and a robust social security system. Ideological resistance, the belief that homeless individuals should deserve housing rather than receive it unconditionally, also hinders adoption elsewhere. Successful implementation requires substantial resources, long-term commitment, and integration into a well-functioning system of social safety nets.
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Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First)
How Finland Found A Solution To Homelessness
How Finland Ended Homelessness
