Finland Showed It’s Possible – Now It Must Hold the Line

Earlier this year, I had the honour of speaking at the Y-Säätiö’s 40th anniversary celebration in Helsinki. It was an occasion to recognise something truly rare. Not just an impressive organisation, but a country that has done what many have claimed is impossible: reduced homelessness at a national scale, steadily, over decades.

Over forty years, Y-Säätiö has helped thousands upon thousands of people by giving them what matters most – a permanent home. By providing apartments to those who need them, the foundation has helped shape a national model that is now recognised around the world as a leading example of how to end homelessness.

But while there was much to celebrate, I came with a clear message – and a warning. Don’t take your success for granted.

Ending homelessness means housing for everyone

In the UK, we know all too well what homelessness really costs to governments, to communities, and to the people experiencing it. Over 126,000 families, including more than 160,000 children, are stuck in temporary accommodation in England. Rough sleeping remains widespread. Local authorities are spending over £2 billion a year just to keep people homeless: in shelters, hostels and emergency lodgings. But spending billions on temporary solutions does not solve homelessness.

Over the years, I’ve brought many policymakers to Finland to see first-hand how things can be done differently. I wanted them to witness what it looks like when public investment is channeled into lasting housing solutions instead of short-term fixes. 

At the heart of Finland’s approach is Housing First. Finnish Housing First is not just a programme or initiative. It is a guiding principle embedded in national policy, embraced by municipalities, NGOs and service providers alike. Permanent housing comes first – not after sobriety, employment, or treatment. And with it, the support needed to stay housed.

But Housing First alone cannot eradicate homelessness. It depends on a broader infrastructure, a housing system that offers homes for everyone. In Finland, success in reducing homelessness has relied on sustained investment in affordable housing and policies that make housing accessible for people on the margins.

This is why I worry about recent developments. When support and funding are cut across housing, income, and social services, the very foundation of Finland’s progress is at risk. The latest statistics on homelessness in Finland were a sobering reminder that gains can be fragile. 

Homelessness success deserves the spotlight

The decline in homelessness over the years didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of political courage, long-term planning, and a shared belief that homelessness is not a lifestyle choice but a political choice.

Finland’s example has become a North Star for decision-makers, those working on the front line of homelessness, and engaged citizens around the world – a clear point of reference in a global landscape where homelessness is too often seen as inevitable.

But while other countries have looked to Finland as a model, Finland has in some ways stepped back from its own strengths. The recent rise in homelessness is a clear signal that when prevention breaks down, the consequences are immediate and human. It shows why the whole system, including housing, support and income security, must work together to prevent a return to the cycle of crisis management instead of long-term solutions.

For decades, Finland quietly delivered results that the rest of the world is still trying to understand. But now, the country has reached a tipping point. Recent policy decisions risk undermining the very foundations of that success. It is time to bring the achievements of the Finnish approach, and the risk that it could be undone, into the public spotlight. That visibility is essential – because only what is seen can be protected. If more people understand what has been built, more people will be ready to defend it. 

Homelessness must never be accepted as a permanent feature of society. Finland has something rare and worth defending – a proven alternative to homelessness, built together. That is a legacy to protect and take pride in.

I’ve seen through bitter experience that ending homelessness is very hard work but making things worse is all too easy. Please don’t let that happen in Finland. We need you, our North Star, to shine brighter than ever.