Nordic Homelessness Alliance Transitions from a Network to an Association

  • 27.5.2026
  • News

he Nordic Homelessness Alliance, launched by Y-Säätiö in 2023, is taking a new step in its development as the long-standing network officially transitions into an association. The newly established Nordic Homelessness Alliance Association strengthens Nordic cooperation in reducing homelessness and creates a more sustainable structure for long-term joint development work.

The alliance brings together key actors working on homelessness across the Nordic countries, including NGOs, cities, researchers, and other experts in the field. The founding members of the new association are Y-Säätiö, Sininauhasäätiö (Blue Ribbon Foundation), and RETS Foundation for a Crime-Free Life. 

The transition from a network to an association enables closer cooperation, joint development projects, and the creation of membership-based activities. The aim is to  strengthen  knowledge  exchange , research collaboration, education, and  the  development  of  practical  solutions  across  national  borders. The association also creates better opportunities for building joint international projects and securing funding. 

“With the new association, the Nordic Homelessness Alliance will be able to strengthen long-term Nordic cooperation and take joint development work to the next level. We want to build an association where research, practical work, and experiences from different countries come together in a concrete way. Our goal is to bring  solutions  to  the  grassroots  level  and  demonstrate  through  practical  action that change is possible,” says Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs at Y-Säätiö. 

The Nordic Homelessness Alliance is based  on  the  idea  that  reducing  homelessness  requires  combining research, practical work, and  societal  cooperation.  The  purpose  is  not  only  to  raise  discussion , but  to develop concrete operating models and solutions that can be applied across the Nordic countries. 

As part of the activities of the new association, a new three-part  training  programme  will  also  be  launched, bringing together participants from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and  Iceland  to  deepen  expertise, share practices, and build long-term cooperation.