Quote:......... For the past 30 years, tackling homelessness has been a focus for successive governments in Finland.
In 1987, there were more than 18,000 homeless people there. The latest figures from the end of 2017 show there were about 6,600 people classified as without a home.
The vast majority are living with friends or family, or are housed in temporary accommodation. Only a very small number are actually sleeping on the streets.
So how have the Finns managed it?
Since 2007, their government has built homeless policies on the foundations of the "Housing First" principle.
Put simply, it gives rough sleepers or people who become homeless a stable and permanent home of their own as soon as possible.
It then provides them with the help and support they need. That may be supporting someone trying to tackle an addiction, assisting them to learn new skills, or helping them get into training, education or work.
This is very different to the traditional approach in the UK, where a permanent home is only offered after a homeless person has sought help in a homeless hostel or temporary accommodation.
One person who has benefited is Thomas Salmi, who became homeless when he turned 18 and had to leave his orphanage.
He spent three years on the streets of Helsinki, where the average minimum temperature in February is -7C (19F).
"When you lose everything, it really doesn't matter," he says. "You're thinking about suicide, am I going to die? Is it safe?
"It is cold, especially in the middle of winter. If you're sleeping outside you might die."
Thomas Salmi braved three bitterly cold winters on the streets of the Finnish capital
For the past two years, Thomas has had an apartment of his own at a large complex run by the Helsinki Deaconess Institute (HDI), one of several organisations providing accommodation for otherwise homeless Finns.
Now 24, he says living at the HDI has helped him turn his life around. He used to drink heavily while living on the streets but now only touches alcohol at the weekend.
Under Housing First, the offer of a home is unconditional. Even if someone is still taking drugs or abusing alcohol they still get to stay in the house or flat, so long as they are interacting with support workers.
They can pay rent through state housing benefit and people can even opt to stay for the rest of their lives. .......
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-46891392
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