FEANTSA: International review of groundbreaking Finnish ‘Strategy to Tackle Homelessness’ published
Today [10 February], the Finnish Ministry of the Environment publishes an International Review of the Finnish Homelessness Strategy. Finland is one of the only countries that has managed to reduce homelessness in recent years. It has been an early-adopter of Housing First, an evidence-based innovation which is increasingly being taken up in Europe and internationally.
The research team that carried out the review was composed of experts from four countries – UK, USA, Finland and Sweden. Nicholas Pleace (UK), Dennis P. Culhane (USA), Riitta Granfelt (FI) and Marcus Knutagård (SE) used a combination of visits, interviews, focus groups, document analysis and international comparison to do the review. The resulting report helps to contextualise and understand Finland’s recent successes and challenges in tackling homelessness, as well as offering insight into priorities going forward. In the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy and its target of reducing poverty, the European Commission has asked Member States to develop comprehensive homelessness strategies. An increasing number are doing so. In this context, this review makes a valuable contribution to the growing body of knowledge and understanding about what can work and why.
