A Country Without Homelessness – Does the Model Really Work?

In Finland, homelessness has almost completely disappeared nationwide, and the number of people living without shelter continues to decline. This was achieved through the implementation of the Housing First model, which takes a radically different approach from traditional methods.

In most countries, homeless individuals are expected to first prove that they can work and reintegrate into society before they are given access to housing. The Housing First approach, however, is based on the idea that stable housing is a fundamental need, and that once a person has a home, addressing other challenges becomes significantly easier.

Launched in 2008, the program has delivered remarkable results: the number of people living on the streets has drastically decreased, and instead of emergency shelters, permanent housing solutions have been created. Through collaboration between the government and various organisations, those in need not only receive housing, but also social support to help them reintegrate into society.

There is substantial evidence that Housing First is both an effective solution to homelessness and a cost-saving strategy, as it reduces reliance on public services such as hospitals, prisons, and emergency shelters.

The program is not exclusive to Finland—similar initiatives have been introduced in parts of the U.S., Canada, Paris, Vienna, and Germany. However, in many places, political barriers, bureaucracy, real estate market issues, and social prejudices often hinder full implementation.

💬 What do you think? Could this model be effectively implemented in other countries? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇

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