Homelessness to be addressed in a new project in Espoo

According to a homelessness report by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA), in November 2024, there were 404 single homeless people living in Espoo. Of them, 110 were long-term homeless. This list of homeless people comprised 71 women, 81 young people under the age of 25, and 125 people with an immigrant background. The statistics are indicative. A ten-year comparison found that Espoo’s homelessness figures were at their lowest in 2022, when 373 people had no home. In 2023, the figures spiked to 436 people without a home. As a rule, the number of long-term homeless people has been declining since 2020.

According to statistics, long-term homeless people who are single have mainly stayed temporarily with relatives and acquaintances. A small share of them have lived in different residential units or institutions, some in dormitories and boarding houses, and some outside, in stairwells, and in emergency shelters. In autumn 2024, there were twelve homeless families with children and three homeless couples in Espoo.

“In spring 2025, Espoo launched a project to eliminate long-term homelessness funded by the Ministry of the Environment as part of a national project,” says Tapio Nieminen, Director of Social Services for Adults for the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. The City of Espoo’s housing services and youth services are involved the project along with the wellbeing services county.

“Outreach and mobile  work have been launched within the project. Outreach work is carried out in outdoor areas, libraries, the facilities of partners and at shopping centres,” Nieminen continues.

According to the latest statistics by the National Enforcement Authority Finland, the number of official evictions does not seem to have increased from 2024, and the level will remain approximately just as high as in 2024.  The biggest increase in evictions took place between 2023 and 2024 (up 27% in Espoo). 

“Cuts to social security, including housing allowance, currently have the greatest effect on low-income persons and households who do not yet have the right to e.g. social assistance based on income limits.” 

“According to impact assessments, this is reflected in growing poverty among families with children, but not yet as increased homelessness. There seems to be a growing need for advice and guidance related to housing.  Hopefully, this will be possible in Espoo and in the future in the wellbeing services county, for example by means of housing social guidance,” Nieminen concludes.

Night of the Homeless briefly

Night of the Homeless is held on 17 October in various parts of Finland. Night of the Homeless, civic movement not associated with party politics and religion involving various health and social services organisations and other actors. The Night of the Homeless reminds us that housing is a fundamental right and requires decision-makers to take action to eliminate homelessness.

The Government’s homelessness policy aims to eliminate long-term homelessness. However, there are now new groups also facing the risk of homelessness: students, employed people with a low income, families with children, single parents, and pensioners. The current service system does not pay enough attention to them, as the need for service or support is very different in terms such things as long-term homelessness.

Housing is a fundamental right, but its realisation is seriously threatened. The Government’s cutbacks, a reduction in affordable housing production and the cuts to income rare reducing the opportunities for secure housing, especially for the most vulnerable. At the same time, the rising cost of living and rents are pushing people’s personal finances to their limit.

A home is the foundation of a decent life. Its absence affects all of us and affects the sense of security of society as a whole.

For more information, visit the Night of the Homeless website.

Night of the Homeless events in Espoo on 17 October

14.00–20.00 Night of the Homeless at Olarinluoma temporary accommodation, Luomanportti 9, yard area. Distribution of snacks and possibly donated clothing.

14:00–22:00 Night of the Homeless event at Kaivo, Kala-Matti 3, Building A. Time spent together, chatting, board games, music, sausages, crepes, a free café and distribution of clothing. The Night of the Homeless campfires and bonfires will be lit at 19.00. Participating actors include Kaivo, the Naapuruustalo community centre, Kran rf., Iso Omena Library.

16:00–18:00 Leppävaara Night of the Homeless, Sello Library at Viaporintori, Leppävaarankatu 9. Introduction of local actors, sausages, and juice, woollen socks, and Library bus Välkky. The event will be organised by the Sello Library.

17.00-20.00 Night of the Homeless at Olari diakoniatalo support centre, Olari Church, Rälssitilakuja 1. The Night of the Homeless campfires and bonfires will be lit at 19.00. Participating actors include the parishes of Tapiola and Olari, Hyvä Arki ry, Manna-apu ry, Emy and Kivenkolo neighbourhood house.

17:00-21:00 Espoo mental health association EMY’s Night of the Homeless at Espoon keskus, Pappilantie 5. The Night of the Homeless campfires and bonfires will be lit at 19.00. Clothing distribution, a voluntary bilingual church service starting at 19:45 at Askel. Actors participating in the event will include meeting place Askel, Manna-talo, Espoo Cathedral Parish, Esbo svenska församling, and Espoo home library.

18:00–22:00 Night of the Homeless evening event at Espoonlahti Church. Time spent together, crepes, sausages, soup, a gig by musician Ville Nurminen. Night of the Homeless campfires and bonfires will be lit at 19.00 and relaxing organ music will be played in the church hall at 21.00.

Sleep the night in a church, event for adults at Espoonlahti Church. Arrive at 22.00, bring a mattress, blanket, and pillow, if you have these, silence will begin at 23.00. (The church doors will close at this time). Breakfast 7:00-8:30. The church offers people the opportunity to shower. A housing social advisor will be available for guidance, as will an employee of the Western Uusimaa outreach unit. Diaconal workers and a deacon minister will be present all night, and visitors will also have the opportunity to speak with them personally just for a chat or for guidance.

We will also be accepting donations: sleeping bags, sleeping mats, personal hygiene products, new woollen socks, and gloves. Clothing donations are also welcome. There is a need in particular for underwear and socks. Donations can be submitted to the church in advance, but small amounts may also be brought directly to the event.

The event is organised by the Espoo Parish Union, the Espoonlahti Parish, including the Lippulaiva Library. Click on the link for more information: Night of the Homeless evening event - Church in Espoo

Appeals for homeless people in Espoo

1–16 October A clothing collection for the Night of the Homeless at the Iso Omena Service Centre.

1–16 October: Collecting used winter clothes in good condition and new underwear and socks, as well as new socks for men and women. Deliver to Tapiola Church during opening hours. More infromation: Hanna Videll, hanna.videll@evl.fi or 050 432 6587.

1–13 October: Collecting new hygiene products (deodorants, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, moisturiser), new men’s and women’s socks (not wool socks), winter gloves, and underwear at Kyrkogatan 10. Deliver to the caretaker Mon–Fri 8:30–15:55. More information: Ani Iivanainen, 050 597 3313.