How Did Finland Achieve (almost) Zero Homelessness?

Mostly due to a government that supports non-profit landlord Y-Säätiö.

This works with councils to build on-demand furnished M2-Kodit homes (above and below) that are energy-efficient, with access to green space, public transport and laundries.

A few other good ideas are:

Buses 4 Homeless converts London double-deckers into areas for sleep, cooking, training and holistic support. Blackpool also has its own Big Red Night bus that offers a warm safe place to at night with laundry & shower facilities.

Although Australia’s Sleepbus is no longer in operation, it was a great idea: climate-controlled pet-friendly sleep pods with lockable doors and toilets (and a Pink Sleepbus for families escaping domestic violence).

Homeless pods are modular shelters that affix to existing buildings and are warm, clean and safe. Designed by architect James Furzer, who was appalled at councils fitting ‘hostile architecture’ like spikes and arm-rests to public benches, so homeless people can’t sleep on them (it also means older and disabled people have no where to rest at bus stops).

In the city of São Paulo (Brazil), the council filled underpasses with large rocks. A dismayed local priest dismantled them all, in a brave act of defiance!

General Info on Helping Homeless People

Also read about how to help homeless people with dogs.

England has around 250,000 homeless people (including rough sleepers, sofa-surfers and people living in bed-and-breakfasts).  Here are ideas beyond just throwing money at what is a huge issue in society.

Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits. People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.

If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night, to alert them of support to find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).