Summary of How Finland Ended Homelessness

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

The Finnish model of homelessness reduction involves providing people with permanent housing and support services. This model has been successful in reducing homelessness by over 60% in just two years. American conservatives love to rail against it, claiming that it has failed to make significant changes in cities like Los Angeles where homelessness has continued to rise. However, the Finnish model shows that housing is a necessity, something that must come before almost everything else, and that we must guarantee it to those who need it in order to realize their humanity.

• 00:00:00 In Finland, a housing first approach to homelessness has resulted in a dramatic 40% decline in the homeless population between 2010 and 2018. The approach emphasizes providing immediate, independent housing to people experiencing homelessness without requiring them to meet any other conditions first, and over time helps them transition into more stable housing arrangements. This system is different than the more common continuum of care or staircase approach, which often requires homeless people to demonstrate significant progress in their mental health and addiction issues before they are housed. However, despite the high barrier to entry, housing first has proven to be extremely successful in reducing homelessness in Finland.
• 00:05:00 The video discusses how Finland ended homelessness by implementing a housing first approach. This approach focused on putting people into stable, long-term housing as the first step to resolving their homelessness. After six months, the homeless population in the experimental group had virtually eliminated homelessness. The success of this approach was inspired by a similar program in New York City, which was successful in reducing homelessness in that city. However, the housing first approach has not been widely implemented in the United States due to budgetary concerns and the impact of capitalist incentives on homelessness. In Finland, where unionization is high, these concerns are less of an issue, and the approach has been successful in reducing homelessness across the country.
• 00:10:00 The Finnish model of homelessness reduction involves providing people with permanent housing and support services. This model has been successful in reducing homelessness by over 60% in just two years, and American conservatives love to rail against it, claiming that it has failed to make significant changes in cities like Los Angeles where homelessness has continued to rise. However, the Finnish model shows that housing is a necessity, something that must come before almost everything else, and that we must guarantee it to those who need it in order to realize their humanity.