Eric Brown’s Post

I frequently get asked about how other countries handle the problem of homelessness. For those of you interested in international examples, I'd encourage you to learn about the successes achieved in Finland. I've recently read/viewed two valuable resources that tell this story: 1) The book, "Ending Homelessness? The Contrasting Experiences of Denmark, Finland, and Ireland" is written by Mike Allen, Lars Benjaminsen, Eoin O'Sullivan, and Nicholas Pleace. In this book, the authors highlight the strong recent performance of Finland relative to the experiences in Denmark and Ireland. A fundamental takeaway from the book is the importance of housing and services for those who need it. The authors also stress the need for scale; great interventions that are not scaled to the size of the problem will not produce desired results. 2) Mark Horvath and Invisible People have produced a remarkable documentary on the Finnish experience. I highly recommend spending 27 minutes to watch this film. Echoing the findings from the book, Horvath and team found that access to housing is essential; Finland made significant investments in housing that was used to house people who had previously experienced homelessness. What jumped out to me from this film was the political coalition that endorsed this approach. Jan Vapaavuori, the former Mayor of Helsinki and Finnish Minister of Housing stated, "I think it was very important from the very beginning that the program was actually led by a center-right politician like me." The key to their approach was the Finnish version of Housing First, which Allen et al. described as a housing-led approach to homelessness. Vapaavuori described the many benefits of this investment: less homelessness, safer and cleaner cities, and a reduction in public costs associated with homelessness. My favorite quote from the film came from Jari Karppinen who works for the Salvation Army. When asked about the US reluctance to scale Housing First--despite our considerable resources--to reduce levels of homelessness, Karpinnen said, "if you (USA) want, you can do it." https://lnkd.in/gvEvszx5

HOW FINLAND SOLVED HOMELESSNESS Although the concept of Housing First was born in America, Finland has embraced it and witnessed a miraculous reduction in homelessness, plummeting from over 20,000 homeless people to less than 4,000 in 10 years. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness. The Housing First model offers stable housing as the primary intervention, complemented by essential support services which address the root causes of homelessness and help individuals rebuild their lives. Finland's strategy involves prioritizing the development of affordable housing and cultivating a culture that’s dedicated to improving homeless services. They house people quickly and PERMANENTLY and recognize that people need more than a roof over their heads to thrive. EVERYONE needs to have a purpose in life rather than merely surviving.   Invisible People, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since its launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the UK. https://lnkd.in/eKW86h84

Inspirational. Ending homelessness the Finnish way, The Documentary, BBC World Service https://lnkd.in/eym-4TKM Homes offered to homeless people with no strings. First given housing then help to solve other issues in life. Finland (population 5million, similar to Scotland) has almost eradicated rough sleeping, target to end homelessness by 2027. Replaced Staircase Model of temporary accommodation until meet criteria eg sober, learning, job with permanent home as a prize.. The Staircase Model did not work for most.. Can't climb stairs without home of own. Housing first reverses this. Began 2007. started renting apartments to homeless at affordable rent usually covered by benefits. Shelters converted to flats with communal space and on site support 24/7 for as long as tenant needs. Support essential, without it Housing Fist becomes Housing Only which doesn't work. Tenants have different needs. young how to live independently; pay bills, take out trash. others substance use etc. Culture shift from pressure to change, to offer of help, from monologue to dialogue with tenants making decisions. Optional work activities for tenants to earn extra money and learn new skills that might help with work. Money 170m euros in 2007, renovation plus a lot of support workers and training. Saves 15000 euros per person per year by reducing costs of A&E, health, police, jail. (This ties in with the Changing Futures work https://lnkd.in/eRfTE8da and the great work Callum Alexander is doing.) Plus return to work increases tax receipts. But sue to complex needs some still do become homeless. Statistics: 6000 people helped, about 90% stayed housed against 40% in Staircase Model. Being copied worldwide from Brazil, to S Korea, to Canada, and more, with pilot projects in Scotland https://lnkd.in/enGQ2Btt The Scottish Government https://lnkd.in/eWn2ZS3M Homeless Network Scotland as well as India, Chile and Brazil. Hanna McCulloch

Interesting to read the National Housing Federation's homelessness survey report 📈 Whilst there is such a long road ahead in tackling the homelessness crisis, it's positive to see that the statistics have improved in comparison to the survey conducted in 2018. 👉 71% of respondents reported developing new approaches to homelessness, compared to 35% in 2018 👉 42% of respondents provide an intensive support service, compared to 12% in 2018 The lack of homes still remains the number one barrier, which is unchanged since 2018. https://lnkd.in/evntNuST

Short and sweet piece here on homelessness in Europe from Euronews, featuring FEANTSA Director, Freek Spinnewijn. Take two minutes to learn: - What are the main challenges people experiencing homelessness are facing? - Why is homelessness increasing across Europe? - Which countries' strategies to end homelessness are seeing the best results? - What is the role for Housing First as part of the solution?

According to a report from the Urban Institute, "the single most effective way to end homelessness nationwide would be to fund a comprehensive affordable housing plan that would include a universal voucher program. This would both help more people exit homelessness and prevent more people from entering into homelessness.” The following article from Planetizen highlights the new report that "recommends a comprehensive, nationwide affordable housing plan as the ‘single most effective’ method of ending homelessness." Follow this link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/drak7GHd #planning #homeless #comprehensive #affordable #housing #universal #vouchers

Our new survey report: What are housing associations doing to help prevent homelessness? Some key takeaways: 👉 Homelessness is a priority for general needs providers and specialists alike. 👉 Housing associations are committed to preventing their residents from becoming homeless, and to relieving homelessness. 👉 The number one barrier to housing homeless households remains a lack of homes. To improve homelessness prevention we need investment for building new social homes, and ringfenced and increased revenue funding for support services. We need a long-term #PlanForHousing

Did you know that in the NT homelessness rates are 12 times the national average, people sleeping rough rates are 14 times the national average, and there is an overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Mission Australia is one of several organisations in the NT supporting and empowering people who are experiencing homelessness. Mission Australia's Integrated Homelessness Supported Accommodation Program (IHSAP) in partnership with Yilli Rreung (and funded by NT Govt) supported nearly 600 people in 2023 experiencing homelessness. From feedback from our clients we know what we do is good ...but we want that 'good' to be even better. That's why we commissioned an evaluation of IHSAP and would like to share https://lnkd.in/gEnfWrtF Ana Aitcheson Brent Warren Mission Australia Rachel Christie Territory Families, Housing and Communities

Commentary: A Flash to 2006 on the Housing Crisis and Homelessness is Revealing https://lnkd.in/gJm45CD2

Commentary: A Flash to 2006 on the Housing Crisis and Homelessness is Revealing https://lnkd.in/gEnmYRv2