Finland ‘finds solution to homelessness’ as numbers plunge

Homelessness is rocketing in Britain, with numbers soaring between 150% between 2009 and 2016 – but the picture is very different in Finland.

Finland has seen numbers of homeless people drop by 18% over the same period, according to homeless network Feantsa.

The solution is controversial – to give homeless people homes.

A project, Housing First, which began in 2008 oversaw the conversion of homeless shelters into low-cost rental flats.

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It also helped areas in Finland plan affordable housing solutions, according to Finnish news outlet YLE.

Juha Kaakinen, CEO of non-profit housing company the Y-Foundation said, ‘”They don’t see any homeless people when they walk around Helsinki, but they are in places like the UK, Ireland and many big cities in Europe,