Residents and support staff from a Bournemouth housing charity have visited Finland to study its ‘world-beating’ anti-homelessness policies.
The group of six from from Hope Housing and Training Services (HTS) visited the Finnish capital Helsinki and met members of the Y-Foundation, the non-profit organisation which helped pioneer the nation’s ground-breaking Housing First Strategy.
Julie Berti, Founder and CEO of Hope HTS, said: “Finland continues to lead the world with innovative and effective solutions to homelessness.
“In 1987, when it launched its efforts, there were 18,000 homeless people. As of 2018, there were 5,482.
“Hope HTS has supported over 2,700 homeless people to access safe accommodation and get their lives ‘back on track’.
“But there has been a rapid increase in the number of rough sleepers.
“Bournemouth alone has seen a 168 per cent rise in applications for help with homelessness in the past two years, and as a result, demand for safe, dry and secure accommodation has risen.
“Hope wants to continue to grow its reach and reduce homelessness here in Bournemouth.
“For that reason, we reached out to the Y-Foundation and were delighted when they invited us to visit some of their projects.”
Housing First works on the idea that everyone is entitled to a home, and that people must be helped off the streets and into housing as a priority, before being supported to improve their health and employability.
Prince William’s Homewards Project, which is being piloted in six regions including Dorset, is inspired by Housing First.
Julie said: “Our group, which included formerly homeless Hope residents Henry and Shannon, were given tours of four Y-Foundation housing locations.
“The Y-Foundation has renovated, built and now leases 16,000 affordable apartments and also provides accompanying support services for its previously homeless tenants.
“We were very impressed by the standard of the accommodation, which gives people their own front door and the sense of safety and self-worth which goes with this.
“Henry and Shannon were also able to meet people who like them, were previously homeless, and have benefited from the support systems that Housing First puts in place.
“Hope HTS also helps people into accommodation alongside supporting their physical and mental health, so there was much for them to discuss.
“We were interested in the ways tenants are actively supported to engage with their communities.
“We also learned that all young Finnish people up to the age of 30 are able to rent apartments for 30 per cent below the market value.
“This is to prevent young people getting into debt, which may eventually lead to them experiencing homelessness.”
BCP Council and its partners activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) this week to ensure rough sleepers have access to safe and warm overnight accommodation during plummeting temperatures.