Traditionally, Y-Säätiö’s year started with the 15th edition of Y-Day. This year, the day focused on topical issues related to housing and homelessness. The main theme of the day was supported housing and welfare reform.The day’s speeches conveyed faith in the future and working together.
Global and national economic phenomena such as inflation, rising costs and high interest rates have challenged the housing sector, including Y-Säätiö. The financial hedges put in place in previous years were designed to cope with these unexpected situations and are now, among other things, helping to contain interest costs. Cost-consciousness in operations has become even more important.
Two new buildings were completed for Y-Säätiö M2-Kodit in Kuopio and Tampere, at a total of 101 new apartments. There are 567 apartments under construction, three of which will be completed before the end of this year.STEA, the Finnish Social and Health Organisation, awarded grants to Y-Säätiö for two new development projects starting in spring 2023 to reduce homelessness and help the residents of the youth housing owned by Y-Säätiö. The new projects are part of a co-development package focusing on welfare area work, for which Y-Säätiö hired a programme manager in the spring.
Y-Säätiö implemented comms and marketing reforms during the first half of the year. The visual identity overhaul launched in the previous year became visible in March with the launch of the new website. The new look and the website, which can be found at ysaatio.fi, support the work of foundation and aim to strengthen the recognition of expertise and effective communication. With the relaunch, Y-Säätiö’s website will also feature asuntoensin.fi Network Developers’ website, which will provide a comprehensive collection of information on homelessness and development work to end homelessness.In March, ice hockey coach Jukka Jalonen gave his face to Y-Säätiö’s first campaign ”It is a privilege to be able to come home”. The campaign highlighted the importance of having a home for one’s well-being and aimed to raise awareness about homelessness.
Environmental projects are at the heart of Y-Säätiö’s work. In the spring, Y-Säätiö’s Sustainable Green Handbook was published, providing guidance on sustainable with garden maintenance, management and design. This handbook sets new standards in garden management and encourages a controlled wildlife management approach to gardens.
International cooperation is one of the cornerstones of Y-Säätiö’s activities. The new Nordic Homelessness Alliance network brings together key actors in homelessness work from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Although there has been cooperation in the Nordic countries to reduce homelessness in the past, this new network aims to deepen cooperation and partnership even further.
Y-Säätiö’s expertise is also valued more widely internationally. The Royal Foundation, led by Prince William and Princess Catherine, launched a five-year homelessness programme in the UK, and Finland’s successes in reducing homelessness have served as an inspiration and practical example for the Homewards project. In May, I also had the opportunity to meet the Prince himself in London.
Teija Ojankoski, CEO