Sustainability is at the core of Y-Säätiö. It is a promise of affordable housing, the eradication of homelessness, and the climate and environmental resilience of our properties. As Finland’s largest nationwide non-profit landlord, we use our voice and expertise to promote an equal society.
Our network of more than 19,000 apartments is a tool for social and ecological change. For us, sustainability is not a separate program, but a daily choice we make so that everyone has a home.
We build sustainable homes for the long term. Residential buildings are long-term investments, which is why we make choices that reduce climate impacts throughout the entire lifecycle. Y-Säätiö aims to achieve significant emission reductions by the end of the current strategy period. The Group’s emissions mainly arise from the energy consumption of the housing stock, new construction projects, procured services, and renovation work.
In 2026, we will prepare a carbon roadmap focusing on the Group’s most material emission sources — especially those we can directly influence ourselves. The roadmap will define different scenarios and measures for achieving our targets.
At Y-Säätiö, a sustainable property portfolio means systematic, cost-effective, and timely maintenance, renovation, and new construction that takes into account both the property lifecycle and the environment.
Y-Säätiö is a pioneer in eliminating homelessness in Finland. Our goal is to end long-term homelessness by 2027. Our operations are based on the Housing First model, where a home is the foundation for all other aspects of life.
Current projects demonstrate that:
We build approximately 200 new homes annually, even in a challenging market situation.
Y-Säätiö is Finland’s largest nationwide non-profit landlord. All new M2-Kodit developments owned by Y-Säätiö are built with state support, ensuring regulated and affordable rents. Housing production is financed through state subsidies, interest-subsidized loans, bond financing, and the Foundation’s own funding. Part of Y-Säätiö’s financing is tied to social and green financing frameworks.
Y-Säätiö’s sustainability report has been prepared in line with the structure of the ESRS standards. In this way, we have prepared for the reporting requirements of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), even though the directive does not currently directly apply to us.
Key stakeholders in Y-Säätiö’s sustainability framework include the Foundation’s founding members, who also influence the composition of the Board of Directors: the City of Espoo, the City of Helsinki, the Evangelical Lutheran Church Administration, the Finnish Construction Trade Union, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, MIELI Mental Health Finland, the Finnish Red Cross, the City of Tampere, the City of Turku, and the City of Vantaa.
In addition to the Board, other significant stakeholders include Municipality Finance Plc, STEA, the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (Varke), and the State Treasury. Decision-makers and the media also significantly influence the Group’s operating environment.
Y-Säätiö is an active member of several industry networks and organizations, including FEANTSA, FIBS, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Association of Property Management, Real Estate Employers, KOVA, the Foundation for Support of Ex-Offenders, RAKLI, SOSTE, Valo Coaching Association, and Green Building Council Finland (GBC Finland).
The most significant stakeholders of Y-Säätiö are illustrated in the accompanying chart.
Y-Säätiö’s double materiality analysis simultaneously examines the impacts of operations on the environment and society, as well as the related financial impacts on the Foundation. The analysis identifies the most significant impacts, risks, and opportunities related to Y-Säätiö’s value chain (the so-called IRO assessment). Financial impact has been assessed in accordance with the threshold values defined in Y-Säätiö’s risk assessment framework. The sustainability topics most material to Y-Säätiö are highlighted in the center of the diagram.
The most significant positive impacts of Y-Säätiö’s operations (S4 Consumers and End-users) are directed toward the downstream end of the value chain, particularly through work carried out for the benefit of our customers and to reduce homelessness. The double materiality assessment was conducted in 2024 and has not been updated since. The assessment will be updated in 2026.
Y-Säätiö reports on sustainability annually. Read the 2024 Sustainability Report.