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 The City of Vantaa www: www.vantaa.fi |
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 The mayors of the capital region cities, Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa agreed together with the state representatives to start a program of reducing homelessness in 2002. Multi-agency work was seen essential to achieve the target of the program. Therefore he representatives of the housing departments and the social welfare and health departments were imposed for co-ordination. The objective of the program was to produce 4000 new flats for homeless single persons and families as well as provide them support they need. The target was reached in the quantity of flats. However there were not sufficient housing alternatives for people with multiple problems. Therefore a network to develop services for homeless people was established in the capital region in 2005. As a partner of the Catch project, social welfare and health department and culture and education department by decided to start inter-agency working to support young people in high risk of homelessness. The Y-foundation was invited to the co-operation. Social Welfare and Health Department Service production is organised into services for children and families, medical services, day care services, services for the elderly and disabled and dental care services. The nearby services are produced primarily at five area units: the Myyrmäki, Martinlaakso, Tikkurila, Korso-Koiukylä and Hakunila social welfare and health centres. All employees in the service areas have their own set of customers whose life situation and circumstances is familiar to them. Work is also carried out where necessary in multi-professional teams and in interaction with inhabitants, organisations and associations. The support of associations is emphasised in the promotion and maintenance of health. Some less frequented social welfare and health care services are produced in centralised units. The Department is engaged in developing the quality control system. The emphasis in the quality work is on developing services which benefit the customer, on respect for the customer’s right of self-determination and on economically produced services. Competent and highly qualified personnel have a key role to play here. Social Work Social work aims to assess the problems faced by individuals and families at various stages of their lives and their ability to cope with them and to provide them with support. The basic idea is to discover the resources which the client has for resolving his or her problems and maintaining well -being. Social work with families includes provision of income support, non-institutional child protection, housing services, referral of intoxicant abusers for treatment and school social work. The majority of clients receive financial assistance in the form of income support. The biggest single reason for requiring support is unemployment. Children and families in need of expert help with upbringing or of social, mental and medical examinations and care are provided with special service. Intoxicant addicts are provided with treatment at out-patient clinics and at a number of treatment centres round the clock. Services for people with mental health problems are provided by social work and primary health care as well as secondary or tertiary health care. Culture and Education Department Section for youth affairs Section for youth affairs covers a real and special youth work and workshops for young people. The purpose of the workshops is, in co-operation with networks, to help and support socially excluded young people by respecting their individuality and cultural background. The programmes at the workshops include support in studies, training in working skills such as handicraft, media, metal and car repairing, painting and carpentry, special courses as first aid, data communications etc. as well as civil skills and abilities. Y-Foundation Finland  Co-operation to combat homelessness Y-Foundation was founded in 1985 to help people who have difficulties finding a home for themselves. The founding bodies were The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities; the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere and Turku; The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland; The Finnish Red Cross; Oy Alko Ab; The Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT; The Finnish Construction Trade Union and The Finnish Association for Mental Health. To date, the Y-Foundation has acquired some 5,500 apartments. The main focus is on urban centers that are growing rapidly. Anybody can become homeless Having a home is a basic right of every human being. Even though homelessness has decreased in the last twenty years, there are still thousands of homeless people in Finland. Changes in life or family relations can leave a person vulnerable to homelessness. There is particularly a shortage of small rental apartments suitable for single persons. The main task of Y-Foundation is to find decent, reasonably priced rental apartments for people capable of independent or near-independent living. Activities to help the homeless The Y-Foundation buys individual apartments in privately owned blocks and builds rental houses all around Finland. In order to avoid geographical concentration, the properties are dispersed over large areas. The Foundation also lets property to local authorities, congregations and other communities. Individual needs are best understood at the local level. Keys to a home In addition to a roof over the head, a person also needs a good social life and recreation so that the apartment feels like home. Help from relatives or friends is not always available. That is why the Y-Foundation is involved in creating networks to support the residents. In addition to local authorities and congregations, many organizations and associations are significant partners in providing support services for residents. The work continues A home is everybody's basic right, but there are still thousands of homeless people in our country. A majority of the homeless are single persons, mostly men, but more and more women and young people also need a home. Over the years the operational model of Y-Foundation has proved to be successful, and the Foundation will continue its work along the same lines. Y-Foundation promotes research and awareness in housing matters, which further improves the situation of homeless people. In addition, the Foundation is involved in international projects and networks to combat homelessness. The most important thing is to provide everyone with an opportunity for humane life. The Y-foundation contact information Street address: Paasivuorenkatu 3, 7th Floor, 00530 Helsinki, FINLAND Postal address: P.O. Box 322, 00531 Helsinki, FINLAND Fax: +358 9 7742 5555 Managing Director HANNU PUTTONEN +358 9 7742 550 hannu.puttonen@ysaatio.fi Housing Adviser TAINA HYTÖNEN +358 9 7742 5516 / +358 40 531 3155 taina.hytonen@ysaatio.fi |
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