Notes

'The principle of normality'

The Finnish system is based on the principles that permanent housing enables independent living, and that residents need a place to live to feel like they are part of wider society.

The units are rented to formerly homeless residents. If a tenant can't afford the rent, they can access the same government housing benefits that are offered to all Finns.
"The principle of normality is very important to us," explained Kaakinen.
"It's the only way former homeless people can really be integrated into society; that they are treated like anybody else. It means they have the same rights, but also the same obligations."
Most importantly, he added, is the fact that Finland's approach — aptly known as 'Housing First' — is built upon getting vulnerable people into stable living situations.
It's an expensive strategy. Through experience and consultations, however, governments, non-profit groups and private sector businesses agree that it's ultimately cheaper than the kinds of alternatives most cities adopt to tackle homelessness, according to Kaakinen.
The Finnish experiment has shown that renting supported housing to a person who's been on the streets for more than a year saves taxpayers about $23,200 annually, according to a cost-impact study published by Tampere University of Technology.
That money that would otherwise be spent on emergency health care, policing and legal costs. The savings per renter grow once they begin working and paying taxes.

PhoebeKang/UofT