Homelessness In The UK Versus Finland

Since 2009, rough sleeping in the UK has increased by 169%, with one in 200 people reported to be homeless. Yet this isn’t a problem limited to the UK. Across Europe, numbers of rough sleepers are on the increase. Yet in the same timeframe, Finland has seen a decrease of 18%. So how have they managed to help people out of homelessness? In 2008, they implemented a ‘Housing First’ initiative. Financed by taxes, the system sees people who are homeless given housing first - not after a lot of paperwork or temporary accommodation - helping to get the most vulnerable people off the street immediately. Could this same system help the 300,000 rough sleepers in the UK?

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[flejt]

God bless Finland for helping their homeless.

[neroxen_]

Who knew that giving homeless people homes actually begins the process of getting rid of the problem.

[Vinnafetish]

It seems as though a lot of people can learn from Finland

[nataliesurinova]

"Everyone needs and deserves a home."
how sad that just a simple statement is not only debatable but not seen as a priority. And ppl wonder why homeless ppl seem so broken mentally bc all that x on the street is proof that no one cares about them &their struggles, just heartbreaking.

[kathrynsue]

funded by slot machines that should make u not feel so bad when u lose at slot machines cause at least the money u gave goes to a good cause

[lillallelillalle]

I don’t get why this is such a hard concept for certain countries to grasp. North America could learn a thing or two from Finland! I live in Canada and we have high rates of homelessness and people freezing to death during cold Canadian winters.

[joskusko]

I live in an average sized city in Finland and close to a building where the homeless (there aren't many) are given their apartments and it just warms my heart to see them actually having the chance to go inside and to a home during the cold weathers we often have.
I really need to remember to appreciate my country.

[Niallokk]

Nordic countries are so developed it’s a joke. Everyone needs to look at them

[brandonrepo]

I'm homeless in Finland, been 2 years. But I'm getting apartment in a next week, you can only imagine how happy and excited I am right now😊.

[m.j.]

One more reason to love Finland! I admire and respect this country very much!

[ok-osee]

They simply are in 2118 while we are in 2018. No wonder they are the happiest and most peaceful nation in the world.

[hauskalainen]

getting a job is impossible without a home and a bank account. They're absolutely essential. You cannot have a bank account if you don't have a stable address. So trying to tackle homelessness requires that everyone must get a stable home first. Without a home you are at risk, from the elements, from bad people, from inadequate sanitation, from poor diet and hundred other things. Of course the home comes first.

[elenaandtheworld]

I'm living in Finland, but I have to say that you can't compare a country with 5.5 millions of people to a country with over 60 millions.. It's obvious that the more populated country has to face more problems

[jamespsyfer]

Finland's model seems to factor in Maslow's pyramid..that is that certain fundamental conditions must be met in order for a person to have a platform..a base. It seems common sense that people must have housing in order to launch themselves forward. Well done Finland..good job!🤗Housing should be an inalienable human right???

[Cosminen]

This makes it seem like homelesness in FInland is not a thing at all, and still we have lotsa problems as does every1 else, maybe not as much, but we have, don't be fooled

[LILACCARB]

I totally agree with Finland.... now will other countries follow their model or just pretend they don’t have a problem....

[kpoptrash]

These ’Look how good Finland is doing compared to other countries’ - types of videos make me really grateful about being a finn.

[phiretiger]

Wish they went into detail about Finland's strategic planning on this issue.

[yes]

Finland and the Nordic Countries are way advanced than us! We must learn from them!

[turhankommentoija]

I was on a vacation in Helsinki for 4 and a half days walking nearly 10hrs in the city. I only saw a total of 3 homeless people.