Marcus Knutagård
Associate professor
The Finnish Homelessness Strategy – An International Review
Author
Summary, in English
The review covered the whole of the programme to reduce long-term homelessness implemented during 2008–2011 and 2012–2015, Paavo I and Paavo II. The review focused on the programme as a whole as well as its different aspects from the point of view of implementing the Housing First model in Finnish society. The review report described work on homelessness done in the United Kingdom, Sweden and the USA, focusing particularly on operating practices that could be used in work on homelessness in Finland. The review is based on the background materials collected for the evaluation team as well as two field visits in Helsinki (28–30 April and 15–18 September
2014). In addition to this, the researchers have each utilised materials related to homelessness in their own country as well as international research on homelessness.
As an overall assessment, it can be stated that the main goal of the programme, the permanent reduction of longterm homelessness on a national level, has been reached with the help of a carefully planned, comprehensive cooperation strategy. Programme work in accordance with the Housing First principle is proof of the fact that with sufficient and correctly allocated support, permanent housing can be guaranteed even for the long-term homeless in the most difficult position. The significant financial investment allocated to the programme by municipalities, organisations and the state as well as the extensive, long-term national and local cooperation have made it possible to integrate the development of housing and services both on a general level and also by taking the needs of different target groups into account.
However, despite the success of the programme’s activities, it should not be forgotten that any increase or decrease in homelessness is tied not only to homelessness policy, but also to other changes and developments in social policy. In addition to this, homelessness is a constantly changing phenomenon; one topical challenge that could be mentioned is the significant increase in homeless people with an immigrant background. Work on homelessness is a field of social policy that requires constant development, concerning both the supply of housing as well as the support focused on preventing homelessness.
2014). In addition to this, the researchers have each utilised materials related to homelessness in their own country as well as international research on homelessness.
As an overall assessment, it can be stated that the main goal of the programme, the permanent reduction of longterm homelessness on a national level, has been reached with the help of a carefully planned, comprehensive cooperation strategy. Programme work in accordance with the Housing First principle is proof of the fact that with sufficient and correctly allocated support, permanent housing can be guaranteed even for the long-term homeless in the most difficult position. The significant financial investment allocated to the programme by municipalities, organisations and the state as well as the extensive, long-term national and local cooperation have made it possible to integrate the development of housing and services both on a general level and also by taking the needs of different target groups into account.
However, despite the success of the programme’s activities, it should not be forgotten that any increase or decrease in homelessness is tied not only to homelessness policy, but also to other changes and developments in social policy. In addition to this, homelessness is a constantly changing phenomenon; one topical challenge that could be mentioned is the significant increase in homeless people with an immigrant background. Work on homelessness is a field of social policy that requires constant development, concerning both the supply of housing as well as the support focused on preventing homelessness.
Department/s
- School of Social Work
Publishing year
2015
Language
English
Publication/Series
Ympäristöministeriön Raportteja
Document type
Report
Publisher
Ministry of the Environment
Topic
- Social Work
Status
Published
Report number
3en | 2015
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1796-1696
- ISSN: 1796-170X
- ISBN: 978-952-11-4381-6