The challenge
A core group of long-term homeless people kept cycling through shelters, hospitals and jails.
The case
From 2008, Finland's national programmes dropped the 'staircase' model, where people had to get sober or find work before they were housed. Instead, long-term homeless people received a permanent apartment with their own lease, and support workers came to them. Shelters were converted into supported housing, and the state, cities, NGOs and a foundation funded by gambling proceeds paid jointly. Annual national counts show long-term homelessness fell 68% between 2008 and 2022, to 1,133 people, while homelessness rose in most of Europe. Local studies found savings in emergency health, social and justice services that offset much of the support cost.
Why it worked
It worked because the whole system committed to one model with pooled funding and a steady supply of housing. There was no randomized comparison, so the national decline can't be credited to Housing First alone, but it matches trial evidence from Canada.
Sources
- Y-Foundation: Housing First in Finland
- Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA/Varke): Homeless people 2022
- Finnish Government (2023). Report: Homelessness can be eradicated by 2027 with close cooperation.
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