Homeless people 2019

Homelessness is concentrated in large cities

Compared to 2018, homelessness decreased most in Helsinki, Turku and Jyväskylä. In Vantaa and Tampere, the homelessness of people living alone increased, but long-term homelessness decreased. In Oulu, homelessness increased among people living alone, the long-term homeless and young people. Long-term homelessness also increased in Espoo, Jyväskylä and Kuopio. 

In proportion to the population, the highest proportion of homeless people is in Helsinki: There are 2.6 homeless people 4 per 1,000 residents. Next are Turku (2.2), Espoo (1.6) and Tampere (1.4). Helsinki accounts for 36 % of the homeless in Finland and 52% of the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Two-thirds stay with friends and relatives

Two-thirds (3,120 people) of the homeless living alone were temporarily staying with friends or relatives. Approximately 19% of the long-term homeless are in this group. 740 homeless lived outside, in stairwells and temporary shelters. There were 430 homeless people living in dormitories and hostels. A total of 310 homeless people stayed in institutional units.

The proportion of homeless women is increasing 

There were 1,190 homeless women, which is 50 fewer than in 2018. Although the number of homeless women has decreased in recent years, the proportion of homeless women has increased from 17% in the 2000s to over 26% in 2019. 

1,100 homeless people came from an immigrant background. That is 60 people less than the previous year. About a quarter of homeless living alone and homeless families were from an immigrant background. In reality, the figures are likely to be somewhat higher, since not all municipalities distinguish homeless people from an immigrant background from other homeless people.

Read the entire report