Tuusula must fight homelessness, initiative

Finland’s housing policy has long been the subject of international admiration and a success story in reducing homelessness. Now, decades of work are going to waste. The number

of evictions rose by an average of one-fifth in January–June compared to last year, and even more significantly in large cities. The same trend can also be seen in Tuusula, where hidden homelessness is thought to be particularly prevalent.
Hidden homelessness is a form of homelessness, a new problem in society that is not reflected in statistics. A person may be registered as living in a flat, but may not be able to live there, for example, due to the threat of violence. They may be registered at the address of a friend or relative, but in practice they are temporarily staying on the sofa and are, so to speak, living in someone else’s home. It is not anyone’s home or flat. Hidden homelessness can make people vulnerable to exploitation and is most common among women, young people and immigrants.

One form of homelessness may be that you have a roof over your head, but your home does not have proper heating, electricity or water, for example. A new group of clients

seeking homeless services is low-income working people. At the same time, the government is cutting back on affordable housing production, halving housing advice resources and cutting housing benefits.
The government is also cutting funding for social and health organisations working to reduce and prevent homelessness.

Finland’s goal of eliminating long-term homelessness by 2027 will not be achieved because the government’s policies are driving people from their homes.
 
I propose that Tuusula investigate the reasons for the evictions and respond effectively and urgently to the increase in homelessness. I propose that Tuusula should investigate hidden homelessness in the municipality and develop ways to address the problem.

I propose that Tuusula invest heavily in measures to combat homelessness. Tuusula must build affordable rental housing and support local organisations working to combat homelessness.

This content has been translated using AI

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