The document summarizes a discussion on precarious housing among migrant communities in Toronto. It discusses Finland's national program to reduce long-term homelessness, which transformed shelters into supported housing units. It also describes a study on homelessness among immigrants in Helsinki that found the largest immigrant groups experiencing homelessness were from Somalia, Estonia, and Russia, often single mothers with children. Common reasons for immigrant homelessness included unemployment, high housing costs, eviction, and family or health problems.

1. Precarious Housing among Migrant Communities: A Multi-Sectoral Discussion
15th May 2014 Toronto
Dr. Marja Katisko, Helsinki Metropolitan Urban Research Programme, Finland

2. 1. About Finland
2. National Programme to reduce long-term homelessness in Finland
3. The European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion
4. Katisko (2013) Homelessness among immigrants in Helsinki Metropolitan area (survey)

5. Source: Statistics Finland, 2014
http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html#foreigners

6. Statistics: Asylum-seekers and Refugees
Source: Statistics Finland, 2014
http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html#foreigners

7. 
FEANTSA – The European Federation of National Organizations working with the Homeless.

ETHOS – The European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion

ETHOS was developed as a means of improving understanding and measurements of homelessness in Europe, and to provide a common language for transnational changes on homelessness.

Homelessness is a process, rather than a statistic phenomenon that affects many vulnerable households at different points of their lives

The typology was launched in 2005 and it is used for different purposes: as a framework for debate, data collection, policy making, monitoring, and media coverage.
How do we define home?

8. 
Home is a decent place, that provides shelter for individuals or families

Home is a physical place which the inhabitants govern

Home provides privacy and a social space to build social relationships

Every person should have the opportunity to stand up for his/her tenants rights (legal space)

9. 
After War: The storage and control of an marginal groups (1945-end of 1960’s)

Tranformation Period (end of 60’to end of 80’)

Structural Change – New system and its renewal (end of 80’ to 2006/2007)

New Tranformation Period – New System?

New Challenges?

10. 
The goverment approved a national programme to reduce homelessness and eliminate long-term homelessness by 2015

Reinforcing the Housing First – approach as a mainstream principle for housing

Long-term homelessness = a person whose homelessness become prolonged and chronic, or is threatening to became chronic (over 1 year of homelessness or repeadtedly homeless during past 3 years)

The first phase took place from 2008 to 2011. It focused on reducing the long-term homelessness.

Traditional short-term shelters were transformed into supported housing units that facilitate independent living

The second phase (2012- 2015) focuses on preventing homelessness

11. 
Living in a shelter is always a temporary solution, but it can turn to be permanent

You dont have privacy

You have only very limited professional help in your problems

Hostels sustain a culture of irresponsibility: problems in hostels are resolved in a very straightforward manner: if you end up in trouble either you are thrown out or you leave on your own and also leave the problems behind, ulsolved

Hostels create ”a culture of silence”
Source: Juha Kaakinen, Programme Leader: Long term perspectives: From Housing First to Ending Homelessness.

12. ”Name on the door”
- A basic human need to have privacy
-
A rental contract of one’s own (not second-hand contract or temporary social contract)
-
A permanent housing allows other problems to be solved: non-drinking is not requirement for permanent housing
-
Separation of housing and services
-
Individually tailored services based on an assesment of needs
-
The solutions for homelessness cannot be temporary
-
Conventional shelters and dorminatory hostels are not anymore adequate responses to homelessness: hostels will be converted into supported housing units
Source: Juha Kaakinen, Programme Leader: Long term perspectives: From Housing First to Ending Homelessness.

13. Housing First

Appropriate accommodation is a precondition for solving other social and health problems (traditional staircase approach)

The goal is to provide a permanent housing solution for homeless people as quickly as possible, combined with flexible social support based on their needs

The program is based on a partnership between the central goverment and the ten largest municipalities affected by homelessness

The program is coordinated by the Finnish Housing Association and is funded by Finlands Slot Machine Association

14. Source: The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland, ara, 2014 http://www.housingfirst.fi/files/3461/The_ARA_s_report_Homelessness_in_Finland_2013_(14_2_2014).pdf

15. 
Katisko (2013) Homelessness among immigrants in Helsinki Metropolitan area

Survey of social workers working in municipalites (n=82)

Who are the homeless immigrants?

What leads immigrants to homelessnes? How are their situations?

Families:
◦
Somali:32
◦
Estonian: 13
◦
Russian: 8
◦
Others: Irak, Turkey, Afghanistan
◦
Common family composition: single mothers, 1 child

16. 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Substance Use
Divorce
Family Conflict
Residential Mobility
Unemployment
Illness
Financial Situation
Eviction
Other Reasons
Unaffordable Housing

17. 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Sukulaisten tai ystävien luona
Jälleenvuokrausasunnossa
Majoituspalveluasunnossa
Turvakodissa
Muualla, missä
Relatives and Friends
Hotels/Motels
Secondary leasing
Emergency Housing
Other

19. 
African background: (98 people)

European background: (70 people)

Asian background: (62 people)

20. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Divorce
Family Conflict
Language Skills
Mental Health
Housing Policies
Racism
Substance Use

21. 
Thematic interviews with youth (18-29 years of age)

40 interviews (April 2014)

Different backgrounds and different reasons for immigrating to Finland: uncompanied minor asylum seekers, refugees, work, marriage.

Preliminary analysis
◦
Children come to Finland as unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. When they reach 18 years of age they must move out from special housing centres.
◦
Youth move from elsewhere in Finland to Helsinki in order to live with friends or members of their own ethic group
◦
Make decisions to move based on rumors, presumptions, informal knowlegde about work, and housing possibities in Helsinki area
◦
There is not enough support to lead an independent life
◦
Women and free labour

22. 
Thank You for listening!

marja.katisko@diak.fi

Helsinki Metropolitan Region Urban Research Program, Finland

http://www.helsinki.fi/kaupunkitutkimus/english/index.htm