How Finland Found A Solution To Homelessness

And why aren't we doing it everywhere.
Check out my Patreon at: / explainedwithdom

[@janine7418]

I am in Oregon, USA. I was homeless and my cousin took me in and gave me a spot to park my old camper. Then he helped me find a better rig. Then his brother gave me a "permanent" spot to park and minimal electricity. I was able to get the rest I needed and a safe place from which to jump back into society. I am now a school bus driver which I love. I am getting stronger and healing from long-term disabilities. I love my life now!!!

[@missalphaomegagod-2u]

Congratulations you and your support from family did great!❤

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

Yea big whoop.

[@shooter7a]

Good for you.

[@JD-bp7od]

I'm proud of you. That might not mean much coming from a stranger, but I wanted to put it out there in case you needed to see that someone appreciates your hard work.

[@aidanhogan-thomas1797]

​@@timothyandrewnielsenactually go shove it up yours my dude.

[@NancyCronk]

Pscyhologist Abraham Maslow said you can't work on higher level goals in your life when you are using all of your time and energy just trying to get basic needs like food and water met. The Finnish system makes good sense, and every country should use this model.

[@venezuela0076]

Sadly not all countries have the resources nor the will to do it

[@kora4185]

All animals behave better if we are being rewarded. Punishment never ever works, and doing anything out of extreme necessarily and fear, is punishment, so people will either retaliate or give up.

[@matt3024]

The right wing in the US reverses this idea as a means of maintaining an endless pipeline for CHEAP LABOR.

[@Anne--Marie]

Indeed

[@mostlysunny582]

​@@kora4185what do you mean by behaving better?

[@taru7658]

Greetings from 🇫🇮 I work with this homelessness program and I want to say that when a person finally gets that little home of his own, he doesn't want to lose it, which contributes to rehabilitation. They go to rehab, rehabilitative work, go to school and even get a job. I'm really proud of them. They take life into their own hands again.

[@biohazardbin]

I think your country is amazing for having such a system and I appreciate you for working with them. 🙏

[@mommieminnesota3108]

Thank you for dedicating your life in helping these ppl

[@mommieminnesota3108]

It didn't work in Cali bc they did not adopt the entire program if they had it would have made a difference

[@kryphons9138]

what do you mean "finally"? Isn't the whole point that they get housing first?

[@frozengolden00]

@@kryphons9138probably theres quite a waitlist

[@CMDR_Verm]

I'm not homeless but Finland sounds like a very nice place to live if this is their attitude, helping people rather than treating them like dirt.

[@B1gLupu]

I hope a lot of motivated people come to the same conclusion, since we here in Finland are kinda (very slowly) running out of people.

[@0Demiyah0]

You can judge a society by how it takes care of its weakest people. Finland shows a remarkable high moral ethics, that should be aspirational. Government is for the people, and Finland sets an example of that.

[@rhienz4200]

why are you running out of people if its a good country?​@@B1gLupu

[@mikewilliams9069]

If these people weren’t lazyazzez they wouldn’t be homeless

[@astrumrimor2450]

@@B1gLupuSo you guys need immigrants? What’s the weed situation?

[@juliancalero8012]

Who knew giving people houses and supporting them meaningfully reduces homelessness

[@libertarianpunk8558]

You’re triple vaxed gay and boosted

[@mauricedavis2160]

I know, go figure!!!🙏🤔🏠❣️

[@michaeldelisieux5252]

Astounding how the obvious can become the obvious!

[@jerrymiller9039]

The question is how to pay for it. I will bet if they started with 20 thousand homeless they have multiple times that amount supported at taxpayer expense now. Also if borders are open then they are saying anyone globally can come and be supported for life at taxpayer expense

[@mistymoody6291]

Educated, attentive, empathetic, kind, thoughtful, affection etc.., Individuals and it helps being from 1 race, nationality...,

[@brianwenger2112]

I WAS a homeless person In New orleans USA, but the unity program which has a "housing 1rst" program, was successful in getting me back in society. It works!

[@MiZtressofSoulzs]

Mann new Orleans is packed with homeless unfortunately many are not homeless as they claim they like to panhandle

[@DaBinChe]

Were/are you a drug addict?

[@maryannmcrae5392]

God bless you

[@domenicocaruso2153]

❤

[@kreh1100]

So happy for you❤

[@TheDerangedBlood]

I lost my job and the next day the guy I was renting a room from (no kitchen, just a room and a bathroom) told me he needed the room back. I called California state for assistance and the woman on the phone belittled me for not being able to find another place to live. It was difficult to get a hold of a real person and when I did the first time, they hung up on me when I asked a question. I got the hell out of that State and moved to Washington state because I have family that was willing to help me. I'm still struggling but if it weren't for family and the small amount of SNAP i get from the state, I would also be on the streets. Hats off to you Finland for taking care of citizens when they fall on hard times. THAT is what a government should be doing.

[@jazaneksmith6038]

It's actually the job of the church not the government but the church fails miserably, sad😢

[@TheDerangedBlood]

@@jazaneksmith6038 that would take away from their tax free profits.

[@kaydenl6836]

@@jazaneksmith6038hence why it’s not the job of the fucking church. The church is not an authority, it is a private business.

[@suzanneke]

It should not be the task of one particular organisation. Taking care of each other should be a very normal and common practice of all of society…

[@TheDerangedBlood]

@@suzanneke it should be, but when you have psychopaths and sociopaths in positions of power, that energy shifts the common practice and thinking of those who follow it.

[@MonsieurChapeau]

Housing first is safety first. The stress of living moment to moment in survival mode is unbelievable. In addition to the practical obstacles that come with not having a fixed address.

[@brendascally116]

Very well said. Spending all day consumed with the thought of where can you sleep safely that night and how to stay out of the heat or freezing temps is a major issue. There are not enough shelter beds and there is no place to store your belongings let alone have clean clothes to "go get job" as I often have heard people say the homeless should do. They really don't have a clue. The housing first model works because if you can stabalize this basic human need for shelter, they will naturally begin to take the steps they need to reintegeate. Usually happens before the first year is up. We habe a shortage of housing units 17,000 to be exact and we just booted out the homeless in the shelters for assylum seekers. Not right.

[@ronaldbose9645]

I was in the shelter system. No employer will hire you when they see the shelter's address.

[@ronaldbose9645]

@@jordanx204Being in a shelter is no better than not having a home. Many are weigh stations and money makers. They get reimbursed for the number they house and or the number they feed off the street. The 'greater' by the door is not greeting but taking a head count to be turned in to get payment from a government entity. A shelter is supposed to find the person transitional housing. In my case, the 90-day program did not start looking for transitional housing until the last week I was there. That should start the next day after intake. I was in the shelter system and have some knowledge of how some work. Transitional housing is needed most. Caseworkers and the system need to educate employers.

[@mathewvanostin7118]

Yeah i never understood why most countries approach to it is: Giving psycologist help Give them detox treatement Give them a sandwich or soup I am like bro this is not the time to psycologist or go on detox. First they need a small appartement to sleep safely. This what cause problems. They are sad. Get drunk to escape the sadness from homeless lifestyle

[@MonsieurChapeau]

@@mathewvanostin7118 Exactly

[@chaznonya4]

I was homeless for 15 years. Only when an old friend gave me a camper and a spot to keep it on - then I was able to get everything else in order. Btw, thanks Paul.

[@bass3966]

Paul's are awesome 🤟

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

You're the rare few. My buddy did this with an acquaintance. Fenced in area in an industrial section. Got him a camper and porta potty service and a cell phone. He was basically a watchman. Within a couple weeks, the guy started bringing in his buddies and it turned into a mess.

[@mattikarosenthal3298]

@@obsoleteprofessor2034 That’s one of the obstacles that faces homeless people, besides drugs and alcohol. It’s the company that they keep that’s why they have to have a little homeless encampment where services are available. They are starting to do that here in the city, I live in, they are not permanent housing situations, but they are called transitional, housing, and social workers and community representatives, doctors and legal aid comes here. Mostly, I see a lot of homeless people living in their cars. At least now, because many of them are single women they have certain areas of a parking lot by parks, and the police patrol nightly to make sure nothing happens to them. And many of these girls work a 9 to 5. They just do not make enough money to live and save for the costs of an apartment. Moving costs around here are up to $10,000. First last and deposit. Plus, they would never qualify because they don’t make enough money, because they have to go through all this paperwork. Landlords do not allow anybody to move in that they do not thoroughly check out first. This is the high rent district in Southern California. Sometimes I say you should just go home and live with your mom in Kansas, but that’s not what they want. They want to be here by the beach so they can pursue whatever it is that they are pursuing. Some of these girls work and go to the junior college here. Now why they can’t do that in Kansas, or Ohio, or Pennsylvania, I don’t understand. And yet every unhoused person that I have met is a cheerful, outgoing personality, they can’t all be faking it the people that fall through the cracks are the ones that are not addicted to drugs or alcohol, and do not have behavioral health issues. That’s why they’re unhoused, one girl told me “there’s no housing program for us. There are housing programs for alcoholics, drug addicts, people with mental health issues, even housing programs for former foster youth, but there is nothing for us”.

[@lynneanderson4255]

@obsolete professor - That's not even close to true that Chaz is among the "rare few." Homelessness in the U.S. is a policy choice that's increasingly ensnaring more working and middle-income people because of unchecked greed of its sociopathic system. These are people who don't or didn't have mental health or addiction problems prior to becoming homeless. Many become susceptible to the diseases of despair that's now running rampant in the U.S. The suicide rate is up, and life expectancy is dropping. The U.S. knowingly makes many detrimental policy choices, then blames the results on its citizens. Unfortunately, ill-informed citizens in too many instances accept the blame. They don't understand they live in a system designed to extract as much wealth as possible instead of supporting its citizens' well-being. They don't understand that because their public school system, which was one of the best, is by design now failing them, and they're being fed regular doses of bs. It's sad. Barring something out of the blue happening, I don't see it changing any time soon.

[@thearcticlord3920]

@@lynneanderson4255 So true. US culture in particular celebrates people who take from society, not those who give. Service to others is a huge part of recovery. I have seen numerous ex-homeless people support those currently sleeping rough, allowing them to bath, do laundry and have social contact. It inspires those who are struggling to want more for themselves and begin to address issues. To give, is to receive.

[@sharonmoore4381]

I’m Australian and I’ve noticed here the number of empty office buildings and have thought for years that they could be made into homes for the homeless with social workers on the ground floors a teaching kitchen to help with nutrition and basic cooking cooking for adults, various teachers who could teach about finances and banking, government letters etc all the things that we should know but don’t.

[@annmdeas]

Great idea! IMO creative strategies and effective solutions are key. Let’s think outside the box. Not to mention addressing the moral stigma and blame on the homeless would be helpful too.

[@andreworam2844]

Most properties that people consider vacant are not actually vacant long term, they're just in between tenants. Even if a commercial property is vacant long term, we have property rights and the government would have to pay to rent the building out to tenants, and commercial rents tend to be far, far higher than residential rents due to their prime location, and so it would be very difficult for a government to afford such rent.

[@maestermercy8512]

That makes perfect sense. I think the same thing about all of our abandoned malls & schools in my area

[@emilyinnetherlands5295]

I totally agree with you sharon.

[@wedgetailleather]

Cost of conversion could be prohibitive, but it’s a fantastic idea. Use the structures that exist, but retrofit for communal use. Some Japanese micro hotels could be a good model.

[@darlameeks]

There is a similar program in Utah. They figured out that it was cheaper to house the homeless than to incarcerate them (which is what they were doing previously). It really works!

[@mutteringmale]

Well, if you had Sheriff Joe Apargio of Arizona, Maricopa county, they would be crying and sobbing to get out of his work camps, and shed their pink uniforms, and watch tv again. Then they would look at the lists of the where they get the most loot for being homeless, and go to SF, LA or Utah.

[@MrBrock314]

@@mutteringmale They don't get "loot" for being homeless. You mean stay alive.

[@mutteringmale]

You must have missed the part about Social Security disability checks, food stamps, free health care, free hotel rooms, can steal anything they want and not get arrested and more.

[@ashtonh991]

They've done some housing but the mostly just push them out of the public view. As someone with years of first hand homeless outreach those in power here disgust me with their actions toward the homeless

[@mattschrader5047]

@@mutteringmale Homelessness in the US is an industry managed by State and Federal governments in conjunction with self serving NGO's. We have the encampment system because it allows the leeches that feed off the problem the highest rate of return on their self created problem while still getting the homeless vote. Stay classy DNC

[@notsparks]

I work with homeless individuals often as an attorney. The answer has always been in the name of the issue - it has been and will always be about housing. If we look at homelessness as a medical issue, housing would be the treatment. Homelessness brings with it many other issues such as addiction, mental health issues and crime, but these are also symptoms of the issue - when people don't have a place to feel safe and are hungry and cold, we do what we have to to try and survive another day - it may be drugs as an escape, prolonged exposure to extreme stress causes mental health issues in the best of us, and if you can steal something and sell it you can buy food and drugs. Providing permanent, supportive housing allows people to feel safe so that they can focus on the things they couldn't. Housing First isn't new, it's modern focus originated in a study in NYC decades ago. It is expensive, but studies show it is less expensive to house people than jailing them for public camping, or having them in ERs to warm up, cool off, or after an OD.

[@ejeanroh377]

@notsparks - every City Mayor needs to hear from you and work with City Council... but alas it’s not going to happen. Thank you for your comments...

[@aikaterinimoschou9437]

Enters private jailing....Now, it is just business.

[@dineomalatji2165]

Wow, my eyes just opened. I felt bad for them for drugs and thought they needed some sort of counselling (saw some young men sharing brings through needle blood transfer) but is makes sense that they're just trying to come. I cant imagine the damage homelessness does to the mind of a human being😢 it must be tough

[@photographedemode]

Something needs to be done in the USA that is for sure. I have never seen so many homeless in my life and never thought it could ever get so bad. Unfortunately having a roof over your head in the USA is starting to be a luxury even for people who work, don't have drug or mental problems.

[@rockdusted]

So many areas in the US have allowed housing to get too expensive to afford, even if you have a job. I had to move from where I had lived for 23 years. I had a job, making what I thought was okay money. I couldn’t find a place I could practically afford within 25 miles of where I lived. The property values and rental costs have gone beserk there. I ended up in a lucky spot with a friend from where I grew up offering me an old trailer to stay in. Livable. I had to quit my job of course, because I had to move 10 hours away into a depressed area to take advantage. Even with the massive change in cost, I’m still losing money. My income dropped from 47k/yr to 24k/yr. I’m still just barely getting by with a lot of stress. Had it not been for my friend, I feel reasonably sure that I would have been on the street in no time. That’s with a (what should be) livable job! Even if you are willing to live slight in favor of having a roof, many of the landlords (especially the corporate owners, who now own 40% of the country’s rentals) require that you make three times the rental price. At $1600/mo, well, do the math. That’s how much a lone person needs to make to have a roof. This country is not trying to provide help, they are actively creating the problem. Which is borne out by the numbers. The only way you’re guaranteed housing and healthcare and food is to spend your life in prison, if you’re too old for military work, that is.

[@emilyfeagin2673]

Builders aren’t building enough entry level homes and apartments It is expensive to build . most new builds in the Pittsburgh area start at 350k I think it will come down to government subsidies for builders and a change in restrictive zoning laws

[@trixieknits]

Liberal rules and policies cause it.

[@valerief1231]

So true!

[@laorientalm2554]

Homelessness is a very profitable business.

[@jevinday]

I was homeless for years. I couldn't stop doing drugs. I didn't want to live. I got an apartment through government housing and I immediately stopped doing drugs. I smoke pot but it's legal here in Arizona. My life has improved incredibly. I have started making KZbin videos, singing and playing the guitar again, and I get to decorate it however I want. It's my sanctuary. For years I went in and out of rehabs, mental hospitals, halfway houses, and sleeping on the ground. And the other thing is the government is spending WAY less money on me because I'm not constantly in detox and rehab on their dime. Great video topic! Finland looks amazing.

[@redwoods7370]

Wish you all the best.

[@user-zx7dp3qp6u]

Glad to hear that you're feeling and doing better keep the sunny side up.✌️❤️

[@anonplussedhuman2615]

Wow, that's so awesome to hear.

[@erikbudrow1255]

What's the government housing program called that you used? I'm homeless in PA, looking for solutions...

[@erikbudrow1255]

Glad to hear you got into a better situation btw 🙏

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

This makes a good point. A lot of homeless crazies and drug addicts are schizophrenic. The thing a schizophrenic needs most in order to get better is stability. A warm dry place to sleep that you won't get kicked out of is the most important part of stability.

[@spriken]

Heck just not getting enough sleep at night can have a shocking effect on even a person without mental problems. I work overnight and on my Monday by the time I finish and get home I will have been up 25 hours and I'm starting to see things. Not to bad but if say a plastic bag moves I may think it's a critter. If someone wasn't getting enough sleep every night, I can easily imagine it getting really bad!

[@gringoamigo8146]

I've lived in Finland for years as an expat student. I can definitely confirm that I never saw a single homeless person and have been all over Finland from Lapland all the way down to Helsinki.

[@aazhie]

Thansk for confirmation! Every place has their trouble, for sure, but nice to know.

[@SkyeAten]

I live in Japan and I haven't seen anyone homeless yet either. But it's interesting to me that he says Japanese low homelessness rates are questionable. I wonder why he didn't even give details as to why.

[@riittap9121]

I live in Finland and we do have some homeless people. You can't always tell who's homeless by the way they look. They have access to shower and laundry. You might be able to tell by the bags they carry with them. Some camp in the woods during summer and they prefer to keep their tent in a place, that is not easily found by outsiders. During winter, they usually need to keep walking through the night to survive. I've visited Japan a few times and seen homeless people there, too.

[@sicknessnfilth1616]

​@@riittap9121 Yup. I actually was officially homeless for a whole year. From autumn to fall I lived in my van. In winter I moved between my friends paying them some little sum for a place to stay. But this homelesness was by the choice a social experiment for myself kind of and it worked up fine. Although whole time I knew I have a choice to move in rental apartment if I feel so, I still got a wholesome experience as a "nomad". It was nice to test the challenge of not having a home to go and I learned alot from myself, most important thing was that I get to know my limits and weaknesses.

[@Zaron_Gaming]

Yup this works! This is how I got out of the homeless life. I was given a room and a bed and help when I needed it, how I needed it and always had people I could trust to talk to when I felt I was struggling and I WANTED to be better. Human beings want to make ourselves stronger and happier. It's built into us. I was given the opportunity to feel safety around me and I was able to address my needs without bias or being afraid the floor would fall out under me. This was in Washington State USA. People need stability and true safety to grow

[@emilyfeagin2673]

Good point!

[@oppositeofh8]

so happy to hear of your success -- especially as a seattleite. 🙂

[@kathleenmann7311]

👍👏

[@tinyvr7036]

Each homeless person I have known does want the sense of a community thing even if it's only with each other. If you notice most "hang around" together in some sense, find the hub in the areas that are friendly or kind to others, and if they don't create crime or tear a good thing down or apart...people do accept or help them. If not, they're banished for good reasons. Some groups even have leaders and know where to get help. A good example is after a national disaster like a storm or earthquake. They do take care of each other. It's heart breaking to not do so. They know what hardship is. People are people. If organizations can assist and help people locate and prosper in areas they already "live" in , it would be better than moving them around and around to nowhere. Build and keep more social and medical programs with care that they can relate to and use. Isn't it said, for example that alcoholism is both a social AND medical disease???? Most programs fail because no one checks on or up with the participants the program gets finding for regularly. Things also change diring the seasons. Ever spent a summer in San Fransisco or any bay area town? It can be colder than a winter. People need people. They aren't the luckiest people sometimes but we. All still need each other to help those who are homeless or poor and almost there. If countries, cities , towns or neighborhoods don't help more, we will all be sorry. Homelessness affects everyone . Just an observation. Thanks for sharing the good video. Be safe.

[@colinmartin9797]

As a Washingtonian medic myself, I've seen these programs work too. They really do. WA (western WA at least, eastern WA has some issues still, keep thinking they're Texas or Florida) has so many of these programs, and they not only WORK, but they save so much tax money in the long run. Our foster care program in Seattle, imperfect as it is, is still light years better than anywhere else I know in the US, and provides real opportunity for foster kids even once they've aged out of the program. We fostered my little sister in law and even once she aged out, she still had access to services like housing, school, and work. She finally finished high school and is starting her first job this month, never having to worry about health care, food or housing.

[@vibesmom]

I’ve experienced homelessness first hand in and with several friends.Housing first is essential to have any chance of getting your life back together. When your homeless your in survival mode. All day, everyday, your focused on finding the necessities, staying out of bad weather, making sure all you own isn’t taken or trashed. There is no true privacy, nowhere to safely let your guard down. Your shut off from society, shunned and looked down upon. All that does is mess with your mental health. Expecting people to climb up from that is absurd, and for some, simply insurmountable. I feel our society runs on fault, shame, and blame instead of compassion for the situation and integrated solutions that solve problems. With the wealth and availability of so many abandoned buildings all across the US, there is no excuse for the crisis we are now in. I believe the e only way we can truly effect change is to create robust community organizations that work together and start funding them at the town level. This will not come from Washington.

[@teamextras4life270]

Because American Government politicians are greedy/they rather stuff their Bank account's than solve American homeless problems,The American Government have little interest in America's healthcare, America's infrastructure,America's college debt and America's homeless But War's destroying Humanity America's Government invest BILLION'S UPON BILLION'S OF America Taxpayer's MONEY(THAT'S WHY America HOMELESS PROBLEMS WILL NEVER EVER GO AWAY)

[@brendalux2462]

Sadly much of the US homelessness could be fixed. There are tons of apts, offices & other empty buildings that could be transformed but they are owned by the wealthy & big business. They get huge tax breaks for depreciation, maintenance & financing. But, on top of that, they get tax breaks when the bldg are empty & they aren't rented. Another way the wealthy are manipulating our govt in their favor.

[@appiah2f]

No! Try republicans first. They don’t want to support the needy in the society. What would Jesus do?

[@spiritlevelstudios]

The no true privacy thing has been grinding me lately. I'm naturally introverted and need space to recharge. Being stared at, glared at, looked at over my shoulder at any given time of day or night is really draining.

[@micheladerry5681]

im sure they dont want to solve anything

[@DizzKola3]

I’m an educator and have also done research on best practices around the world and Finland has also use amazing ingenuity to be a leader in student success and literacy. Maybe I’ll move to Finland someday.

[@Glorious_Kim_Jong_Un]

You really should

[@justsomedudeyouknow8372]

I was homeless for years. My parent didn't do a great job at raising me or teaching me necessary skills to survive on my own. I loved my parents and they did the best they could. Getting off the streets is much harder than people think. Its not as simple as get a job and get a home. It takes time and help, perseverance, dedication, and much harder work to stay focused. I was never addicted to drugs, and have no debilitating mental health issues. I couldn't imagine trying to get off the streets like i eventually did with those two things being the main obstacles to overcome. People think when you beat your addiction then everything will be fine. Nope. Its harder to stay clean than it is to make the decision to get clean. Plus remember that once you're off the streets 9 x out of 10 you're still very poor. Poverty can cause or exacerbate depression, feelings of low self worth and low self esteem, which can lead back to drug use. Try getting up every morning after sleeping in an alleyway to go to a job that you need but dont like, knowing that you haven't showered in days because you dont have a shower and have no money(or very little)to feed yourself. Or if you live in your car the majority of your money goes to fast food/expensive prepared food, gas, car insurance, laundry, any car repairs that pop up, phone bill, and any other expenses that you have to be able to work while living in your car. Its nowhere near as simple as people think. And like drug addiction, getting off the streets can be done but staying off the streets is the real challenge. All it takes is a late paycheck the makes you miss your rent or pay it too late and you can be evicted pretty quick, not to mention that most housing for the poor may be cheap to some but is expensive to a low wage non skilled worker fresh off the streets. Drug addiction and mental health are only two of the reasons why someone can become homeless. Disasters, financial upheaval, cost of housing too high, not enough good paying jobs and affordable schooling/training, bankruptcy, foreclosures, sexual/physical abuse, trauma, layoffs, aging out of the workforce, never being taught the necessary skills to survive, tragedy, stunted growth, and a ton of other things that happen to people all the time of all walks of life can lead to homelessness.

[@MrBrock314]

The point about the "expensive food" is a good one. It's very similar to the food desert problem experienced by minorities. If you don't have easy access to a good supermarket with fresh foods, you're at a systemic disadvantage throughout life as good nutrition is the basis of good health.

[@Stardustpal25]

You have written an amazing summary, I wish you'd send it to all your Congresspeople, Senators. 🤝🇺🇸🇺🇸🫂💙🇺🇸

[@rebeccaspratling2865]

There's a housing crisis where I live. Rent has more than doubled here in the last 2 years. So many people from out of state have moved here and pushed natives out. I know several people who are homeless because of it despite working full time jobs and doing Uber eats on the side. The problem is that landlord want you to prove you make at least 4x the rent and most of us don't. My rent is 75 percent of my income. It's scary knowing it could be me at anytime because I have children.

[@niluferwajeeh4352]

Thanks for your input.

[@JC_0007]

Blaming parents for your homelessness isn’t the case most of the time. Young adult children refuse to listen or do anything, thus in their own rebellion, create their own demise.

[@njhart6236]

The wounded soul needs compassion and love and people who care. It also needs, in many cases, a chance to learn how to take care of themselves, a chance to grow up in a normal way and not in the dysfunctional way that wounded their soul. Yay, Finland, for giving these people love and care and for being a faithful part of their lives. Bravo! Of course your system works!

[@teamextras4life270]

Because American Government politicians are greedy/they rather stuff their Bank account's than solve American homeless problems,The American Government have little interest in America's healthcare, America's infrastructure,America's college debt and America's homeless But War's destroying Humanity America's Government invest BILLION'S UPON BILLION'S OF America Taxpayer's MONEY(THAT'S WHY America HOMELESS PROBLEMS WILL NEVER EVER GO AWAY)

[@americanhomeownerwithajob6940]

No, it doesn't. The government is paying for these people to continue a non productive life and expects the people to pay for it forever.

[@sharonjarvis-young710]

HOUSING FIRST Works for so many reasons... The Biggest reason is it gives PEOPLE who have No Safety or Stability in their lives... SAFETY and STABILITY... YOU Can NOT FIX HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT HOUSING ... FOOD, CLOTHING & SHELTER... THESE ARE THE BASICS of LIFE FOLKS... ALWAYS HAS BEEN and ALWAYS WILL BE. It doesn't take Rocket Science or a frickin' Phd to figure that out ... If ELON had put his BILLIONS towards doing THIS for humanity instead of Twitter ... We would ALL be well on our way to a 100% Viable Global 🌍 Solution to issues like this by now... Ya know?

[@vagramvardanyan9407]

I couldn’t have said it better

[@teamariastyle7622]

Im Finnish and the first time I saw people sleeping on the streets I was at 17 years old in England. I was shocked. I also must say that its ridiculously cold during the long winter that people in the streets would die of. Now living abroad Im proud of our social system that still wants to support and help people and we can trust the police. Society is only ws good as it treats its weakest. But I also recognise that we have only 5,5 mil ppl living so it could be easier to manage like in other nordic countries too. And also peoples mindset of not chasing profits all the time plays a big part .

[@od1452]

I admire how the Finns realize if something doesn't work, doing it again won't help. You need a new approach.. and that may seem wrong... but you don't know until you try it. In the West , we keep doing the same thing... we don't seem to have any institutional memory.. It didn't work then.. so it won't work now. .. but like a gambler we are convinced the next roll of the dice will be the winner.

[@alanway5]

in america that empathy is called communism, republicans are christians full of hatred

[@taavi948]

Why are you lying? There are plenty of people that are homeless in Finland. Go to the centre of Turku and enjoy seeing people homeless. Some even sleep I’m trashcans etc

[@thomasauslander3757]

​@@taavi948it's the homeless industrial complex absolutely made to perfection in California..

[@maiju7254]

​@@taavi948 She might not be lying. The first time I actually saw homeless people was in the UK as well. Some poor people I've seen in my 30+ years life here might have been homeless though, but I've never seen people sleeping outside on the streets at night. Beggars and addicts in poor health, yes. Some of them are surely homeless, but homelessness is very rare in Finland. But not to say that homelessness isn't a problem, it still is.

[@milesshelley1464]

I work in social services to house homeless people in northern California. We follow the Housing First model but most of us know that it's less effective without extra funding for follow-up services. Most of our successes involve building relations with landlords and offering things like higher security deposits. There are some major successes in reducing homelessness in California, but it varies wildly by county because federal and state funding is county-based and some counties are frankly more hostile to the homeless than others.

[@paultucker6553]

I’m glad things are improving in Finland, I live in Arizona was inches away from being homeless, as a last ditch effort I went to Teen Challenge 3 meals a day and a bed and daily discipleship and mentoring after the year long program I’m a truck driver making good money and walking with the Lord. Many people prefer to live on the streets rather than humble themselves and submit themselves to a program that helps them become a productive member of society. They can’t deal with rules, boundaries, and accountability, truly sad.

[@maximac222]

What you say is 100% truth! Good for you!!

[@mapuche888]

Congratulations and God bless you

[@YOUR-LOCAL13]

When I was researching homelessness in Denver a few years ago, I found that many who are homeless, particularly people without children, don’t want to live in an apartment or house. They may try it, but end up preferring to live on the streets, which is hard for us to understand.

[@tomfinney3416]

it is sad they indoctrinate a faith into the individual esp as not everyone believes in mythology ,but i am glad this chapter of your life is one where you are happy

[@BettyBo-zg1ok]

Decipleship 😂 they took advantage of you, typical fvcking xstains

[@russellwehnau7308]

I was homeless for a number of years. One thing that made it hard was finding a stable job I could work being fat and having mental issues but also finding a cheap place to live. I tried getting an education and getting a degree in IT but that did not work out. What did work was working at a small call center then working my way up to data input. After the company got shutdown I found a job as a credit card processor for a bank working from home. All that time I had found a very small, very cheap apartment that gave me privacy and a place to decompress. I have autism and loud noises set me off. I have never let anyone else into my apartment, it is MINE!!!! It is not for anyone else, it is the one place i do not need to be guarded about. It is a little dirty, a little messy but it is the one place I can be myself without someone else judging me. I was lucky, I never lived rough. I lived in a homeless shelter for a couple of years working there while trying to get things straight. Most are not. The homeless need a secure place and the help and the will to get off the streets. Mental health and drugs take there toll and most homeless will never get off the streets cause they are so far into drugs or alcohol and mental issues they will not or cannot seek the help they need. Housing first sounds like a better idea and would of made things much easier for me. I hope other countries and cites try this, it would make things better.

[@tracesprite6078]

Good on you for surviving such difficult circumstances. I hope that you go from strength to strength and have a life that you can enjoy and where you can stay well.

[@denninosyos]

How do you think your earlier life would have played out if you had access to psychiatric care to help you manage your mental issues? It seems like a lot of people get screwed just because they can't afford the mental care or/and medicines they need.

[@isomarulor]

I’m happy for you

[@jokestermasteroflaughter7754]

I was in Finland a month ago compared to the rest of the Europe. I was surprised at how clean and happy it was over there. I would move there if I could

[@Bertrum123]

They say finnish people are at the top of the most happy countrys in the world i see why now they look after citizens.

[@OmmerSyssel]

Entire Northern societies works in the same respectable manner. Lead by the principles of social democracy are the key...

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

No blacks or mexicans. Easy to be happy then

[@davidemelia6296]

Finland's suicide rate is 30% higher than the world average.

[@duckyoutube6318]

@@OmmerSyssel Yeah because when you rely on the United States to fight china and russia and north korea, all the money you would spend on military can go to your people instead. Must be nice. Russia will invade soon. And Finland along with every other 'happy' nation will be begging for arms from the United States.

[@CharlesHuse]

Part of the problem I have observed in the US is that being homeless is a choice. In the Dallas area, they cleared out a massive homeless camp from under I-45. Before they cleared it out, social workers went in and talked to those people. Out of over 200 individuals in that camp, they found 2 that honestly wanted to get out of there and get back to working. There rest said that they basically wanted no part of working for someone just to turn around and give most of that money earn over to rent and bills.

[@danicoleb5394]

This! I feel like while the Finnish model sounds great, it completely ignores the fact that humans will always try to maximize their benefits with the least amount of effort and this Finnish model made no mention of how it politely forces recipients to become participating members of society contributing back to the system that saved them. That system cannot sustain itself for any other homeless people if it is increasingly supporting a class of "freeloaders" (for lack of a better term) who have no incentive or requirement to hold a job and move on to independent living. What will end up happening is people living on the edge will CHOOSE to be homeless knowing they'll live better as a subsidized citizen and everyone else who isn't homeless grows resentful knowing their tax dollars are supporting a class of non-workers who appear to be functioning well enough to re-enter the workforce but choose not to. One person even commented that their county adopted the Finnish program and how they're happy to be drug free and make YT videos all day, sing, play guitar, etc. but made no mention about their employment status. How are you contributing back to the system so that it can sustain itself for others in need? Have you transitioned to independent living so the next person in need gets the care you got? I'm not trying to bash anyone, but it's the one thing I've always found fault with liberal policies is that it has this happy-go-lucky idealistic view of humanity that completely ignores real human nature.

[@TheClumsyCake]

Truth!

[@johnbw2597]

Y’all are the problem. I’m in Dallas too and the blank stares on their faces are oblivious… plus Republicans since Reagan have cut rehab funding for decades making this problem. You ever notice how so many are around hospitals? Because Republicans cut funding so hospitals simply roll and dump them on streets!

[@benjaminwashington2087]

Haha this is the problem…. Americans have this nasty perspective when it comes to working and contributing. Finland and Europe as a whole has a society that thinks differently about work and arent trying to maximize on screwing over the system or worries about people who are. Americans problem with homeless people is they think they are freeloaders and would rather not help them vs help them. It all comes to the people, the law only reflects the attitude of them people. Especially in places like NY or CA

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

Yep, I have been sort of homeless, but had a little caravan that I could live in. It was difficult because you can’t just find a place to put the caravan and stay there. Rules meant that I had to be constantly on the move towing and lots of other things are then difficult. But I was warm and dry and happy. If I was properly homeless, on the streets, you’re damn right I’d be drinking or taking drugs or anything else I could do to make life more bearable. I’ve never been a drug taker or drinker. Being homeless would change that I’m sure. Expecting people to get clean from drugs, even when they literally can’t get their body clean, is totally arse first in my mind

[@MrBrock314]

Quite right. Most addicts have houses and can barely function with them. Without the house, virtually no chance to do so. A lot of people complain about "not sleeping in my bed tonight". Well, imagine that problem every day for eternity. Then, think about the last time the house was too cold or too warm and multiply that by a factor of 100 and add that in for eternity. You ever tried to do work at 0 degrees Celsius without proper outerwear or food while coming down from a high? No - it's impossible as you're too busy shivering and being hungry and having psychological/physiological issues from the drugs. All your thoughts are directed to those basic needs. Once your basic needs are met, then you can consider doing things like contributing to society but it's not going to happen the other way around as a rule.

[@stevedavis6879]

Must have been an adventure as well maybe. ?

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

@@stevedavis6879 oh, I loved it. In fact I’ve been living in an ordinary house for a couple of years and I’m now thinking about going back to live in my caravan. It has cooking fasciities, it was warm and it has a loo and a proper shower, all in a 6’ 6” x 12’ space - everything I need and no excess, brilliant

[@stevedavis6879]

@@clareshaughnessy2745 haha brilliant . I'm here in the uk , and homeless is very bad just like anywhere else . All I can say is do what you think and feels right for you .👌

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

@@stevedavis6879 yeah, I don’t think it’s for everyone. Lots of people like more space or have too much stuff. You have to be incredibly strict about not having anything extraneous to just exactly as much stuff as you need. It just really suits me

[@proceduralgames]

I think with homelessness we are treating symtoms of deeper human actions. We frankly don't have all the answers for addiction, ptsd, mental health issues etc. It feels inevitable, currently, that there will be a small percentage of citizens in this situation. It looks like Finland are treating the people empathetically and that should be celebrated. Investing resources in this is worthwhile for everyone.

[@tablescissors67]

Don’t leave out sociopaths who only want to sponge off others and are a nightmare to live near/next to.

[@41052]

⁠​⁠@@tablescissors67this also can apply to non-sociopaths lol

[@Kelalasdemonx]

We do. It's called community.

[@russozelinsky]

The population is six million max. So not a model for the U.S or many other countries with high population.

[@russozelinsky]

@@Maakyo I am not paying for illegals, deadbeats and fatties who do not take of their health. You pay if you like.

[@Omili]

Here is a good example: I have unknown condition and lost my job and health because of it few years ago (doctors tried to find reason and cure). I recently got part time job that is something I can do with my condition. That job alone would not be enough to support me moneywise but because I live in Finland I get little bit extra income from the state that shrinks / grows depending on the income from work. Because of this system I can go to work and get over twice the income before working. I can also start slowly with couple days a week and maybe increase that later on or change to another job that has enough days to drop state off from the income list which makes me again fulltime worker for the country. I know that there are people who try abuse and are abusing this system but overall it's soooooooo much better for the country to support it's citizen (even when some of them are abusing it) than force unfortunate people to become homeless.

[@rewrose2838]

Yeah this is very similar to the idea of presumption of innocence - we cannot treat everyone as a potential abuser of the system, as that would mostly affect the innocents

[@you-know-who9023]

@@toddthreess9624 Excellent point and ver true. That attitude is very bad for society and , it is no different than advocating "shoot the rich" because we all know people who abuse the opportunities to get rich. 🙂

[@alreadyblack3341]

@@toddthreess9624 I just don't trust the Government at all anymore. And that was before I joined the Army.

[@robertmartin6800]

​@@toddthreess9624 The state _shouldn't_ give "assistance" to people, it's harmful and immoral.

[@blitheringrando1410]

Unfortunately the US is infested with the idea that resources are extremely limited and we gotta fight thunderdome style for them while the ultra rich continues getting richer, because that's just how god wants it. Full throttle crab in a barrel, mob mentality

[@irenesorina3934]

This is very true,housing first,regardless of situation,psychological and physical treatment followed next. Removing them from street drugs dependency,treatment for mental health,providing them with daily necessities of life is better than giving them another form of drugs isn't the solutions. Thanks for this video.

[@destiny5862]

Thanks Finland for helping because that every human needs a chance .

[@dannsherstone1037]

I am Canadian and the excuse that there is not enough government owned land or money is bull$hit. I live in a small town on Vancouver Island and we just built our first low cost apartment building - hopefully there will be more. We need to focus on keeping people off the streets to begin with, because once they have lived that desperate lifestyle it is very hard to recover. We need to address mental illness and addiction before it becomes a crisis for that person.

[@bearcubdaycare]

Does anyone really claim that there isn't enough government land in Canada? That's hilarious, beyond parody, staggering really that anyone has the chutzpah to say something so outrageously and visibly absurd. Is there any Canadian province or territory that doesn't by itself have Crown land measuring more than some small country (and in the western provinces and territories, more than the size of half the countries on Earth)? Also that there isn't enough money in rich Canada. Just wow.

[@undrwatropium3724]

If America can spend 21 billion dollars on a border wall we can help the people of the country

[@NanT.00]

I'm from the Island too and the opioid crises is terrible mid Island. Crime is up and there are so many homeless for such a small town it's unreal. I agree, more housing is needed but now we also have a labour shortage to help build the housing. Too much red tape to get the proper infrastructures needed to solve the housing shortage.

[@everythingsalright1121]

@@undrwatropium3724 unfortunately with the kind of people that are running the u.s theyd rather spend 5bn developing some fancy new missile for their military than address actual problems like a liveable wage, effective drug control, corruption or the right to even exist for marginalized groups. *Glares at missouri*

[@hurri7720]

Very true.

[@StormyPeak]

In several states, there have been people who have tried to set up 'tiny houses' that are basically 1 room with an attached bathroom. They make a small community of them of like 15 to 20 homes, and to get into one, a person has to follow rules, like keeping it clean, and keeping the area around the home clean and work with the organizers in getting job, or on social security or disability if they need it. However....a number of these places were told to stop...because the houses were not big enough, that a house needed x number of square feet and the city or state threatened to and has demolished these sites. These are nice homes, with heat, air conditioning, a small kitchenette, a bed, with room for a recliner and a t.v. But it's not big enough to be humane living conditions according to the laws. I look at these tiny homes and how nice they are, and I can't believe the law makers don't change the rules rather than force those folks back onto the street to live under a cardboard box.

[@melindasmith3713]

The world that seems wanted is the good the bad and the ugly all living amongst one another . Side by side . No one is looking to improve anything , just let it fall apart . That's my opinion

[@whyputaname]

@@melindasmith3713 It seems that way, don't it.. Or they want to hide the unwanted under the rug..

[@StormyPeak]

@@melindasmith3713 When it falls apart, the bad will make it hell for the good. And that's not the way to go. I don't think everyone is entitled to equal living conditions. If someone goes out and works hard and gets rich, or even is just lucky to be born rich...that's fine with me. They get their mansion. But if someone else is born poor, or is just lazy and doesn't want to better their selves, then I have no problem with them living in a small home/apartment, even if it's subsidized by society. But those folks should not expect to live in fancy places. I think capitalism works, but that there is also room inside of that for some social help beyond tossing food stamps at people. Housing should be a priority...but those getting it, should tow the line too and at least do the minimum in keeping the place clean. Those that can't...maybe they should be warehoused in shelters or if they are truly mentally ill, be in a safe environment with help to try to get them to function in society again, if at all possible. The USA is one of the richest countries in the world, and if it wasn't for so much government waste of money, we could easily take care of those in our society who struggle to care for their selves. Even if only one or two out of ten manage from that boost in help, and are able to go get jobs and improve their own lives, it would be worth it. But those who can't, at least won't have to live in squalor and make our cities ugly with their tent cities lining our streets and filling up parks meant for families to have picnics in.

[@elsosa7863]

@@StormyPeak Good thing you are not a politician.

[@paulandersen2369]

The USA is no longer the richest nation in the world. We have over 3 trillion dollars in debt not counting interest. We have dropped to being the 2nd producer of goods because our politicians took big business money and removed import tax, pay companies to move outside US, and hire that countries $2 per hour nationals over US $15 per hour. There are issues at play but too many to explain here. Some are human caused,some are the way of technology.

[@nmosfet5797]

In Finland we don't have empty skyscrapers that are the gem of someone's investment portfolio.

[@PGTVM572MSify]

Thank you Explained With Dom for everything. I've been really enjoying your content. I'm really sad to hear that you're quitting. I hope you find happiness in everything you do. Love you!

[@JB-eg1tb]

I lived with different friends for a few years (on the floor, on a couch, a shared room, and at a brief time, even my own private room for free). It wasn't until I found my own place did I begin thriving. Back then cell phones were not as common as they are now-- giving friends phone numbers for employers to call me was an experience. Finding a job was easier when you have stability. Having a steady place to call home is spot on. Kudos to Finland for their success and what they want to achieve! The ability to provide for individuals with nuanced and complex needs takes a lot of work, time and understanding that cannot be overly simplified. Unfortunately, laws and policies often miss this crucial aspect. "You don't need to first turn homeless people into model citizens (5:10)" is spot on. Different ideologies are another. Thank you for highlighting this!

[@jazzcross6695]

There should be an accommodation/allowance for ppl without houses bc a cell phone can be used instead and or a po box. Ppl could also charge their phones mostly in libraries or free service phone 'booths' or welfare centres etc. With this ability to receive notifications and other correspondence there should be no need to deny payments or incarcerate ppl. But this accomm. I think, still has not been executed by some countries etc for surmountable reasons.

[@aarondigby5054]

You got more homeless people in America than you got an entire population in Norway, Finland Denmark and Iceland or Scandinavia combined.

[@jerrybriseno3031]

Small cities compared to the US. Compare apples with apples then give me the percentages.

[@lindabarron2181]

It's too bad they're forcing farmers off of their land.

[@CityKanin]

@@aarondigby5054 And why has the country let it get so bad...? Hmmm?

[@bettyh8005]

Excellent video! I am a New York City Community Health RN working in a homeless shelter and in supportive housing residences that provide social services. We also have a "Housing First" approach, but share the challenges of California with insufficient housing and resources. Sometimes the city will renovate old hotels, which works well. NYC is generally politically progressive, so ideology is not a major barrier for our program. Homeless people often struggle with a constellation of several problems that may include addiction, cognitive limitations, incarceration, trauma/PTSD, mental illness, social isolation, medical problems, learning disabilities, etc. These issues make it way too difficult for many people to lead an organized life in a complex society. The Housing First approach DOES save a lot of money, for the reasons you state. It also provides a comfortable & safe life for people, who sometimes move on to employment and successful independence. Thank you for your video!

[@jeffreyquinn3820]

I believe it was Calgary or Edmonton in Canada which tried a similar approach with similar results until the religious right got offended. Most homeless people end up in the hospital a few times every winter, costing taxpayers a lot more than putting them in an apartment. You also have to convince the police not to target the addicts once they're in housing.

[@scottallen8950]

Yea, but look at the disaster that happened on the UWS during Covid when Diblasio put the homeless in hotels. I joined a local FB group who documented open air drug use, urinating and dedicating on the street, lovely stuff like that. Plus according to reports from hotel workers, not necessarily in NYC, but often we learn that homeless people basically destroy hotels when they're living there. I mean, NYC is a tricky place because in certain areas, like the UWS, in order to rent a 1 bedroom apt, it costs around $3500 a month and. you need to earn around 120K a year just to qualify. So with housing that expensive, its going to cause problems just giving these folks a free place to live. I'm all for helping the homeless any way we can, and certainly every homeless person should have access to safe housing with safe showers, cell phones and storage of their personal belongings. I'm just not sure if the UWS was the best place for that. But of course, there is not any one neighborhood that welcomes homeless shelters with open arms. So what do you think the solution is? And why can't we provide shelters that people feel safe in?

[@secondjoint]

This is a great insight, thank you

[@jeffreyquinn3820]

@@scottallen8950 I'll agree the rooms need to be more indestructible than a lot of hotel rooms are.

[@sgg17003]

​@@scottallen8950 We can't provide safe places because the cities keep enabling their drug use and and don't expect any accountability.. it's time to put drug addicts in detox places against their will. Sounds bad? Not as bad as making the rest of us deal with the never ending mess. And not some BS rehab that ends up becoming another safety net. Same with the violent and repeat offenders. Lock them if they can't be rehabilitated. The homeless who are trying to get out of the cycle would then make their way back into society much better then they are safer. The systems in place may work when they aren't bogged down by those who will never be able to be helped with the current approaches.

[@sinikkatress6452]

Your reportage super and what I absolutely appreciate is that you brought an example how the same project fails in the USA. I am German ( I wish Germany would adapt the model from Finland, that would be awesome )and live ( I didn't choose to live here, life sometimes dictate where you live) here and what I have seen here how people live in poverty or on the streets ( even they work because money is to less for living in an apartment) it's unbelievable. Poverty and homeless let people do sometimes things what they would not do I they would have a better live. I am speaking about crimes. I will not say that Germany has no problems too, their live peoples on the street too but i never have seen that mothers with new born babys live on the street....here I have and they even brought it in the TV here many years ago and I was shocked and speechless !!! Yes , and it is true that people think those people's living on the street don't deserve that society is paying for them. It's sad because everybody and I say it out loud everybody can come in this situation in life ending up on the street. I have seen church communities buying land here and building homes for homeless people but that can not be the solution that only privet organizations are helping and they can't help everybody. Nobody will believe me that I have seen situations her what you would see in 3 rd world lands.....I could not believe it when I have seen it and health care is so expensive here that really not everybody can effort it.I never forget how they were screaming( many. People want not have it) here when Obama Care was introduced and this plan needs to be upgraded, but at least is something what people can afford and many people were thankful that they could enroll in it. I never forget when the were showing prodest against Obama Care here and a young women was shouting out loud we don't needi it's cutting in our freedom, we free to chose ife we want healthy care insurance or not. This sentence from this young women who was educated ( she was a university student) is never leaving my memory what she is is understanding under freedom.....for me is freedom when I must not worry when I am going very sick how to pay pay my medical bills because I have an insurance and I still have an insurance even when I can't work and are not forced to enroll in COBRA which is so expensive and you can't pay for it either. My husband lost twice his job here in the US and I was working but my wage was not enough to cover for the cost of living and a health insurance and we have a child.I was nervous all the times when he was jobless what will happen when something big will happen with our health and than it happened, but God thanks my husband just got a job then and we were insured.....I got a surgery what cost nearby $100000 ..... so how would we have payed for so much without an insurance??? People who have money here are not understanding this and the sad thing is most US Americans never have known or heard of better health plans in the world and think it's exact right how it is here. Please you all, think about what I wrote here, the US people could have a lot better live and in my opinion they deserve it because they are hard working peoples. Never forget they are people which are not so privileged in life and come easy in situations which brings them on the streets or worst because of their living in prison. Think before you through ugly things against me because I wrote this. I don't mean it bad or ugly but what I wrote I have seen and is breaking my heart.

[@jmpstrnl2007]

This is lucid, well supported, informative presentation, about how it works when it does, and what’s missing when it doesn’t (eg, in CA.) Ideology that equates wealth to merit is the main obstacle to clearing other roadblocks. It’s clear it works, from sampling of comments from people who’ve had the social support along with housing first.

[@sarahcullen9148]

Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada has resolved their homeless problems years ago. Their homeless people are housed immediately, given health care, job and education assistance in the main town areas. (Many homeless people have jobs just not shelter) Putting them in out of the way areas of the community does not help them. Nowadays, a homeless person/family in Medicine Hat are sorted in ten hours or so. Big plus - cost to the township of properly dealing with this situation has dropped by half compared to band aid help that generally exists.

[@sk31370n]

when the word gets out you are gonna have a million people move in

[@KevinBirkett1417]

Sorry Sarah. Wish it were true. Not even close. I was a cop in Winnipeg and spent most of my 35 years in the downtown, my last 5 on the beat in an area that is ground zero for homelessness, crime, addiction, mental health issues. It's gotten worse. And I'm also in touch with colleague in other major Canadian centre's. It's only "better" in the minds of those who ignore the reality and always think they know best, and who are all too often self serving. The underlying problems continue to fraught with truths that are ignored, and everyone continues to dance around. Kudos to the Fins, but their society (as noted in the video) has crucial differences, many that are the envy of other societies. But you just can't put a template on the problems elsewhere. It will be a process, with hard choices, but these cost popularity, and so costs votes, so nothing much but lip service happens, however it does continue to be its own growing industry.

[@hwdrebel]

If California sends it's 80,000 homeless folks to Medicine Hat, do you think you can sort them in 10 hours? It would be greatly appreciated.

[@OmmerSyssel]

​@@hwdrebel how about California sorted its own problems instead of exporting them?

[@dallassegno]

yeah so, a drug problem that looks like homelessness won't be solved that easily

[@od1452]

Finland also changed their schools from low performing by doing what seemed a backwards approach. I am impressed with the country. They seem to realize ... doing the same thing that doesn't work... means you need to try something that is really different.

[@mostlysunny582]

I don't know about that. I knew several families from finland with a different opinion from yours.

[@MrBrock314]

@@mostlysunny582 Several out of 5.5 million? That's not exactly statistically significant.

[@gregkareem9824]

​@@MrBrock314ironically that person didn't reply

[@gregkareem9824]

​@@mostlysunny582ur wrong

[@samuelgansonsnyder9875]

How many times I wish I could get someone up on their feet! These stories make me want to live and do better by my fellow man. Thank you!!!

[@edsharp4575]

I can’t imagine wintering in Finland outside. I can easily imagine places in CA you could live year round. Maybe this has an effect on Finland’s success. Thanks for a very thoughtful point of view

[@milamoilanen5566]

Yeah!! As a finn i must say the cold weather/conditions for sure has affected the 'nordic way' of thinking and doing for example taking care of the homeless people in Finland and the other nordic countries.

[@bOmBAsTiK]

​@@milamoilanen5566Finland also wasn't involved in the transatlantic slave trade as the U.S. was, and doesn't have all the residual issues that have come with that legacy, let's be real. Is the right-wing as radicalized over there as they are here? Do you even have a right-wing governing party? Is there a Fox News?

[@viktorianas]

Other countries still PROVIDE housing anyway, just in a form JAILS, which should be even more costly if you consider all the expenses associated with it. Also in Fin model the streets are safer and at least some people have a proper chance to get back on track as well, which is a win-win for everyone.

[@Redfizh]

Our jails are better than living conditions in many countries. We have to give something better than that or everyone would see crime as an option.

[@peterzimmerman1114]

Jails and prisons are actually obscenely expensive... Why not just a plain old sewage hole in the ground that well fenced off?.... J/K But they really need to look at the costs there, surely it doesn't have to be that expensive..

[@veramae4098]

About 20 years ago I was a prison librarian in a state prison. Cost $30,000 a year per inmate. Yeah, I think there's probably cheaper alternatves. Although one of the things I was told during training is that we (society) see prisons as a final "solution". Prisons MUST take whoever they're sent.

[@whm_w8833]

Jails can institutionalize people against their will to medicine and treatment and stop them from making bad choices. But in housing first, all of it is voluntary and they can make decisions that’s horrible but legal

[@robertwoodpa6463]

I'm okay with jail. It worked for the first 200 years.

[@victorjackson150]

This is especially difficult in the US where individuals are expecting to have 100m2 per person of living space. In Finland 35 m2 apartment is considered sufficient. That size can accommodate more people in smaller bit of land. I worked in LA for a small organisation where this strategy was employed on a small scale. We gave people three years of housing with counselors and job training. Every family and individual had success. Why are not more organizations doing this? I don’t know.

[@destroyerofsimps6574]

Because the U.S govt is run by the deep state. A cabal of satanists who control the military industrial complex which keeps the U.S in a state of perpetual war around the world. With just one month of the money that is sent to Ukraine we could have solved homelessness. There’s plenty of money for war but not for people.

[@snorfallupagus6014]

"Every family and individual had success" ....You're lying. Statistically impossible.

[@TheTokkin]

This isn't really what Americans expect. Rather, this is what American zoning laws require. Many cities ban small apartments and single room units or effectively regulate them out of existence.

[@victorjackson150]

@@snorfallupagus6014 success meaning that every family was able to move out with a job and independent housing. Families were heavily vetted for the program. So it wasn’t ‘successful’ for those who were rejected. A selective sample size can statistically have a 100% results. A randomly selected sample size would be statistically impossible for a 100% success rate.

[@bartismoellis1052]

The homeless in Finland are just tired of freezing their ass of in the winter.

[@GloryDaze73]

Very interesting approach. I wish policy makers could understand that addiction issues, mental health etc is not due to a lack of willpower, but rather due to it being a disease. Setting up a reward system will lead to failure...Setting up a Support system will lead to success.

[@wolf1066]

So many cities would rather spend millions of dollars replacing all their park benches with weird designs and installing other forms of hostile architecture to discourage/prevent rough sleeping than spend money to house the homeless people or pay for social workers to assist them, even if the housing and social support would cost less in the long term.

[@you6382tube]

public parks are for people to use for a short time, not to live in permanently. public parks are not permanent camp grounds.

[@ChapmanGriffith]

I agree with you. I seriously doubt that the USA wants to solve the problem.

[@wolf1066]

@@you6382tube So you can spend money to implement things so that people don't *_need_* to sleep in the parks or you can be a total cunt like town/city councils in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia etc and spend even more money to degrade and punish the people who need to sleep in parks. Seriously, the USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia and most of the rest of the world should be invaded by Finland and have their governments replaced by someone who actually gives a shit about human beings instead of the filth we've currently got.

[@wolf1066]

​@@ChapmanGriffith Nor do New Zealand, Australia, the UK and most of the rest of the so-called "first world".

[@Suebearish]

Yes a lot of money spent on the arts and things like that

[@originaluddite]

Public housing was a normal thing in developed nations in the post-war era (US may be an exception as they often are). It was useful for more than just 'the homeless' because it also prevented many poor and working class citizens from ever _becoming_ homeless. We sort of forgot it was something we can do. This odd notion that public works are somehow 'artificial' while private ones are natural gets in the way of that.

[@syberphish]

Their personal income tax rate is 57%. Don't forget that part. Sales tax of 24%. Corporate tax: 20%, Social Security Rate: 31.55%, GDP of -0.6, GDP growth rate of 0%, inflation 7.9% Yeah that's a real model of a winning way to do things. Tax the sh*t out of everyone and still go broke. Homelessness is their last concern in Finland, but the guy who made this video has a narrative he's pushing, so he didn't bother explaining any of that. Finland is going broke. Gee... yeah lets run things like them, they're literally going broke. Because at the end of the day, someone still has to PAY for it all, and they just ran out. Is that how "developed nations" operate? Funny...

[@originaluddite]

Is that 57% figure the _top_ marginal income tax rate in a progressive income tax scale, or is it the only rate? I ask because the top rate, only paid by some and only on part of their income, is often confused for income tax as a whole. You notice, though, I was not talking about Finland now, but many developed nations in the recent past, including my own. Some public housing was the norm, accepted cross the political spectrum, and existed comfortably alongside robust private enterprise. Maybe Finland go too far, but these are not either-or questions, and you can scale things according to your own priorities in a mixed economy. Like the author says, despite his narrative, this is not a one-size-fits-all scenario.

[@MrBrock314]

@@syberphish Yet Finnish people aren't dying and I don't see news articles talking about the country of Finland going to hell in a handbasket. So despite your random stats, Finland is doing fine.

[@syberphish]

@@MrBrock314 I didn't say they were dying in the streets, I said they have an uncertain economic future and their outlook isn't as rosy as everyone would suggest. Further, they restrict entry to only those healthy and capable of working or benefiting their country. People want us to be like them without that part, but that part is crucial to affording the social systems.

[@kerryhart9418]

Many of us grew up in public housing…our parents were low income workers were put on a rent buy scheme, it allowed some to work there way up in life, aventurely move on & up in life, others stayed proud staying in there homes.

[@sangeetawesley6683]

I adore your cousins for not ignoring family 😊 And you too for your efforts 💕

[@user-st6nt4ou6f]

Despite the drawbacks mentioned in Finlands approach, it works because they are working on it as an integral part of their government. Most government programs anywhere are works in progress, flawed, etc. But the Finns accept that this is what it is. Its a worthy endeavor and other places could use whatever aspects of it that fit their country. It requires commitment, which most governments lack.

[@dianethompson2458]

Finland leads the world as a compassionate and intelligent country. We could all learn from them. Thanks for this great video.

[@hurri7720]

As a Finn I want to add that we are all quite similar in this respect among the 5 Nordic countries.

[@bijouxdoum6199]

​@hurri7720 and please vote to stop immigration so we can at least have our Nordic culture preserved. I believe all cultures should be saved, not forced to coexist

[@astra6712]

Isn’t Finland broke?

[@ZenioDovgj]

@@astra6712 They are doing great. And welfare suckers are doing great. But as a person who works hard and pays a ton of taxes I get the same level, or probably even less attention and services from the county. Because I'm "not poor enough". That's fine if you like some sort of not failed communism. I guess it works as long as the country is rich.

[@matrixace_8903]

It works because their population is homogeneous. Almost 95% are White European Fins. It will not work in the US as certain race that makes up 15% of the population commits half the crime and other issues.

[@googane7755]

Housing IS the key. People have number of reasons why they're homeless and some with no fault of their own. Not having a home makes it exponentially harder to become a functioning member of society in the first place. I hope many policy makers understand this like Finland has

[@jimmason8502]

Well, here in Canada we have lots of homeless shelters where people can have a room and a couple hot meals every day. And yet they still sleep in the streets and beg for money. You can't solve every homeless person's problems with charity. However I remember talking to urban planners back in the mid 80s and they recognized the importanct of permanent and affordable housing back then as a means of helping people get on their feet. The concept is not new but governments don't seem to want to spend the money. Good on Finland.

[@imjustsaying6656]

I live in California i do plumbing for a living. For the last 5 years we’ve been contracted to redevelop existing hotels, motels and apartments for homeless people. They usually burn the buildings after they move in or just find a way to destroy it. It’s sad because there is a very small percentage of people that actually want the help. Right now we are currently working on a 50 room hotel we are adding kitchenettes to each room. They are ONLY for single mothers with children. I really hope this project turns out better. In California from my experience dealing with this homeless people after we come back to deal with there damages and have to make repairs I’ve noticed the majority are not even from California and they don’t want the help. The California system which gives them free money is what’s damaging this people. Take the help away and believe me there survivor skills will kick in and most likely go back home or actually get a job.

[@Dbb27]

There are always two sides to every coin. 😢

[@timothy4667]

Curious - is there some sort of consequence for their destruction of the property? I would kick out the person who destroyed the property and let someone else move in with the incentive that if they help restore the domicile and live in it for 6 months while maintaining it in good condition, they can be upgraded to a slightly nicer place. They get the pride of helping build (ok, rebuild) the solution...and the incentive of better life for being responsible.

[@Dbb27]

@@timothy4667 lol. If you start kicking tenants out for breaking things one wouldn’t have any tenants. It’s not intentional. Some people are just rough and the quality of ready made products aren’t the best. I try to always buy midline products but can’t always. Most are pretty cautious.

[@MrBrock314]

Might be a good idea to invest in some mental hospital/elementary school-type decorations. Things that can't break or be caught on fire. But even still, as the video mentioned, you can't just leave the homeless to their own devices - they aren't all functioning people to that level. They need help in the form of social workers.

[@Dbb27]

@@timothy4667 I have a halfway house near my property. One of the residents were kicked out as you suggested. He hung out in front of a local strip mall and attacked one of my neighbors; trying to grab her keys. That’s half the problem. The owners getc$1,000 a week and when they relapse they are forced out and the public suffers.

[@elle5031]

This makes sense. And in my opinion this needs to offer housing which accepts pets. I rarely see homeless without a dog where I live............

[@RM-ov8gk]

One step at a time....let's get them sheltered and drug free, THEN begin to add things like pets. This has to be a behavior based process, especially dealing with drug addicts. A house is not going to make them drug-free, but treatment may.

[@elle5031]

@@RM-ov8gk Agree, however, I have spoken to many people living on the streets who have pets. They decline shelter if not allowed to bring dog/s. So then the dogs suffer as well.

[@RM-ov8gk]

@@elle5031 Understood. But at what point do they get down and do the hard work to improve themselves? What are the priorities?

[@elle5031]

@@RM-ov8gk Another Good Point...I Don't Know.......I cannot relate to their thinking......

[@MrBrock314]

@@RM-ov8gk You can't ask a drug addict to do the hard work while they're living on the street. That's like expecting a student to get straight A's in school without giving them breakfast and keeping them up all night. You're asking the impossible. We wouldn't expect kids to function well without a good night's sleep and breakfast so why would we expect adults (large kids) to fare better? Maybe give the homeless a good night's sleep and a good meal before we expect them to overhaul years or decades worth of problems.

[@Will-yz8zm]

Canada has embraced the concept of Housing First, but neglected to actually create provide housing units…so homelessness continues to grow. We have a federal government that “talks the talk”, throws money around which only wealth developers can access, and thinks they done something fantastic for our Country. Kudos Finland!

[@sheilasullivan1950]

In other words they created the problem and now pay themselves to keep it going. Then they play smoke and mirrors lying about it and making bank. Another day, another dollar. They are turning the screws on us harder and faster as we speak.

[@SkaN2412]

I love how complainers would rather have homeless sleep in every alley, making their mental issues worse and the streets way less liveable than house them. Even superficially, selfishly it makes sense for the government to spend my taxes to actually clean up the streets. No amount of anti-homeless benches would be able to keep our public spaces free from homeless as much as actually housing them

[@Redfizh]

I once saw a documentary where an elderly american was interviewed. She would rather die than go to the free ambulance.

[@SkaN2412]

@@Redfizh yeah, I see those interviews too, it's wild to me. What's wild also is that they're told that any social services means communism all the way, when in reality private healthcare is still always offered to those who want to pay for it

[@Redfizh]

@@SkaN2412 Odd how they do not see elementary schools as communism.

[@jerrymiller9039]

In Finland you have something called winter. Look at San Francisco. They spend massive amounts on providing "housing" while ignoring the drug and mental issues and it just swamps them with more homeless not less

[@Redfizh]

@@jerrymiller9039 that is a good point, drugs are extremely rare in Finland. Alcohol is the main drug (after coffee). Most of the issues in any society is solved by providing a good start early in life. System where people are hand held guided into a good life and never let them fall in the first place. In Finland, giving a house is usually not needed as unemployment benefit is enough for a rent and every unemployed is guided to work or education, that is also free. One would truly have to seek for a trouble to be in trouble. 90% of people in trouble are lost immigrants, who cant speak english or finnish. These are also only form of beggars we have. You can find at least 2 in central trainstation of Helsinki.

[@IAmADragonHearMeRoar]

I didn’t even know this was how Finland is handling the unhoused. I’m writing a book about a fantasy world where nobody is homeless in the whole world because it’s handled ‘housing first’ style, just because I thought that would be the most effective solution in the first place. I’m really thrilled to see it’s actually working somewhere in real life.

[@B1gLupu]

Shared culture and norms help a lot too. It's easier to have collective responsibility about your society when there is not an underclass of people from different origins. It's much easier to care for your fellow man when they look like you, act like you and share your language and culture. Any country can solve homelesness by having a logic based problem solving approach and enough trust in their fellow countrymen that if they are taken care of now (when they struggle), they will contribute to society and are thus worth it. If you want a conflict for your book, start by erroding that trust.

[@IAmADragonHearMeRoar]

@@B1gLupu oh there’s plenty of conflict prior to this point in history in the book world. The only book where ‘housing first’ is applied is the last one after one last terrible war that was on a scale so large that an inter-dimensional cosmic being had to come over and shush it. There’s multiple books earlier in the series where the rules of the world are forcibly changed between each. The last book is more of a history/slice-of-life about how the latest era started and how the world rebuilt from the rubble left behind.

[@gailbarrett9834]

It is devastating to be homeless and depression is high no energy to do anything. They don’t feel safe can’t think of anything except feeling defeated. If they have help like this video it is a game changer. Give them home and help to get back in the game.

[@michaelosgood9876]

Instead of building ridiculous mega projects, it's refreshing to hear about a country investing in its people. A novel thought. Hats off to 🇫🇮

[@strongback6550]

Eh, it's not really an investment on the people, it's more an investment on keeping streets from being clogged by druggies. It's honestly a lot better for public order if the narcs OD on city apartments if they consistently refuse help.

[@damianjones6546]

Yeah well done Finland. I was in Swansea yesterday and noticed how much it has changed, there must have been billions spent on new the buildings. Why isn't there the same spent on buying housing for the homeless in Wales?

[@Ma_X64]

​@@strongback6550 We must not forget that the situation on the streets affects the morale of all people, as well as the overall level of crime. So it's still an investment in people.

[@timothyjones1906]

It’s one culture. It’s easy to fix when the government isn’t going around telling a group of people that they are victims and that all their problems are caused by other people. So we will take care of you . Just lay around and take drugs all day and we will 2:32 feed and take care of you . United States 🇺🇸 problems are cause by people who want to profit off of other peoples miss fortunes.

[@globalfamily8172]

Someone needs to pay for it. In the US, taxes fall on a minority. Majority of people pay no federal taxes, so there is more resistance to wealth redistribution. In fact, California has a new proposal that even electricity cost is based on income.

[@Bobrogers99]

There will always be people in our society that will need help. In some cases, the help allows them to become productive citizens, while others will need support all their lives. But productive or not, they are human beings and we have an obligation to care for them.

[@hdjwkrbrnflfnfbrjrmd]

Why should I have that obligation

[@Knightgil]

@@hdjwkrbrnflfnfbrjrmd because you would enjoy someone having that obligation towards you if you were in need of help too

[@hdjwkrbrnflfnfbrjrmd]

@@Knightgil but I don't need help, I need to not have my money stolen from me.

[@jackiegleason9272]

Good for you, Bob! You are absolutely right. Of course, there are many who would disagree with you. These people are called sociopaths.

[@jakekaywell5972]

@@hdjwkrbrnflfnfbrjrmd There will be an eventuality where you will, in fact, need help. If you maintain this stance by then, don't say you weren't warned.

[@wroughtiron6031]

Other countries: "How do we solve homelessness?!" Finland : "lmao, homes"

[@MachFiveFalcon]

Thank you for making this. A strong work ethic is important for everyone to have, but for people who have struggled with severe mental illness and drug addiction for many years, it's not always practical - housing first remedies this.

[@thehammockdistrict5355]

Never forget how much the rich and powerful constantly play us against each other to maintain their structure. This video is proof that there are better alternatives easily available, if we can stop being constantly distracted and misled.

[@dianaheineck6499]

The funny thing is "housing first" has been what the us is doing. The part that is present is the supportive services piece. That is where we are failing miserably. I live in CA in a project that is supposed to provide support. I pulled the contracts and found over 1.1 million in misappropriated funds and NO ONE GIVES A DAMN! This issue is NOT if there are funds. The issue is there is NO enforcement and this demographic has no legal voice. The homeless are easy scapegoats! So, those charged with assisting have no real incentive for clients to truly heal. It is a joke!

[@daleviker5884]

you can only shake your head at the level of denial that some people have. The only way they can rationalize their pathetic life is to convince themselves that it's someone else's fault. Listen Hammock, rich people and everyone else for that matter are busy with their own lives, and no one else really gives a sh*t about you, outside of a few family and friends. That's the harsh reality that everybody learns on their journey through life, and some people respond to the challenge, and others spend their lives saying woe is me.

[@jenkem4464]

@@daleviker5884 " rich people and everyone else for that matter are busy with their own lives, and no one else really gives a sh*t about you" That is kind of the point...

[@sandb1867]

@@jenkem4464 No, that's not the point. Hammock said, "constantly play us against each other to maintain their structure.", which is not equal to apathy towards others. Jesus, read before posting.

[@jenkem4464]

I should have clarified. In context of homelessness, inequality, the current vulture capitalist feudal system we live in the point is the rich don't give a F, correct.

[@danol.8595]

I'm a first responder in my city. There's some homeless people we called millionaires because that's how much money in resources they have sucked up over the years helping them through ambulance rides hospital stays, or law enforcement having to deal with them due to their constant theft of alcohol. We started a housing first program and put the people who were our millionaire's In to it. I will admit that I at first thought it would not work. But it actually has been very successful and has got some of the worst people to stop being concert drains. It's definitely been cheaper to house them in an apartment then constantly using much more expensive resources on them. The only problem is they've done it half-ass while it has helped some of our hardcore people word got out that we help people and now we have more homeless people coming, but not the resources to deal with it.

[@axosrain4825]

Ah you guys definitely need more resources. It sounds like it works

[@toritori5835]

That’s the hard thing, partial funding. We have known for years that it only works when you have wrap-around services. If you just give a portion, it doesn’t break the cycle. And it’s hard when the criteria is level of dysfunction. It creates incentive to become worse in order to get services. It’s like in my state where before the ACA, the state would pay for an individual to go through trauma counseling in conjunction with an addiction issue. The addiction issue was the main thing. If a person didn’t have an addiction but had major trauma (even if it prevented them from keeping a job or a home, etc.) they didn’t get treatment. So should they fake an addiction or create an addiction just so they can get services? The way it is now with funding is like having three relatives w/families who each need a home, but you only have room & finances for one. If you try to help all of them, everyone sinks. But how do you decide?

[@Liam-vb3xo]

It really is just an objective positive. Cheaper then having them on the streets, safer for the general public, and reduces theft. A shame a lot of people have the "not in my backyard" mindset.

[@DVincentW]

The controlled destruction of US ecomania is making more homeless.

[@chriskelso723]

First responders in the town I live in also have a bad attitude towards homeless people.

[@Zeioth]

Maximum respect for Finland, thanks to you, who did it first, other countries now enjoy basic human rights (my own included).

[@GeezerWheels]

From the video and the comments, even with help, even a lot of it, somewhere down the line success in the long run still depends on an increasing degree of personal responsibility. Friendship and proper personal counseling are in indispensable part of the long term solution - because those are necessary items most troubled people need.

[@seanprice7645]

Finns *really* care about their neighbors. It does not matter what race you are. If you make your home in the harsh yet beautiful place we call Suomi, you are family not just a neighbor. And we don't let family sleep in the cold. But there is a climate aspect to it, homeless people don't last long handling the winters Finland gets. It's quite literally a health care issue. A basic allowance and shelter saves in the long term, giving these people a healthier lower risk lifestyle, regardless of addictions or mental afflictions. A safe warm place to sleep is paramount to health, physical and mental.

[@Toody49]

Your citizens have a better attitude than many in the US it seems. We used to be that way, caring, and appreciative, but now it’s really sad over here the way people don’t care about each other. My friend’s son was a maintenance man at an apartment complex overseen by the government. He said there were broken doors, feces in the hallway, needle strewn about. And he overheard one of the residents say, “Who cares - the government is paying for it anyway.” 😢

[@seanprice7645]

@@joaocosta3374 they learn pretty quickly that things won't work out very well for them here. and leave lmao.

[@trentbateman]

They should import the third world like the US does to take up its housing to create inflation and push asset prices higher. Then ensure the flow or lethal drugs from Mexico and China continue to flow in unabated

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

Finland definitely has its own problems with racism, including racial disparities and segregation. There’s also a long history of discrimination against certain ethnic groups like the Romas. The far right has also become more prevalent in response to immigration. There’s nothing particularly special about Finland or any of the other Nordic countries. It’s just easier to approve of policies that lead to a stronger social safety net when your country is largely homogeneous.

[@mrsmojo6920]

@@thedapperdolphin1590 yes, exactly.

[@you-know-who9023]

A decent society is one which looks after the ones who are weaker and vulnerable.

[@greenteabear-fb7st]

Finland currently has the strictest abortion laws in the Nordic region, which is protecting their unborn citizens (the most vulnerable population). That changes in September 2023. Their decent society is faltering.

[@HermanWillems]

@@greenteabear-fb7st I come from Christian family. And people who have a child when they are young teenmoms are looked down upon and the whole family gets ashamed in churches. Because of this secret abortions is skyhigh in Christian Community. Nobody talks about it, while Atheists accept their child moms and support them growing up the kids. Did you knew this? Did you knew the most abortions are actually done by Christians in USA secretly ? Because of shame?

[@einar6229]

​​@@greenteabear-fb7st The Marin government (who introduced the relaxation of the abortion laws, along with allowing mass migration leading to high crime rates) has been ousted, the Finns party, the right wing coalition and the Finnish Christian party will now be in control and they have very strong stances on these positions, so there is a good chance that those laws will not take place, along with much strichter laws for migrant crimes. We hope to see Finland retain it's name as the safest, highly homogeneous country in Europe.

[@redjack2629]

​@@einar6229 ah, good. Theocratic racists. My favorite.

[@krzzzy19]

​@@redjack2629 I see you like diverse criminals. How strong and brave

[@AnavonRebeur]

This video reoeats the concept in an endless loop !

[@stevedavis6879]

I was thinking the same . Homeless is everywhere, especially here in the uk .

[@RankinMsP]

Society has to care and have to make their govts care. I don't understand why people struggle to understand that some people will always struggle alone. Not all disabilities are visible. It can't be beyond us as a society to accept that there may be some of us who will never 'pay their way'. Are we really that selfish?

[@FidoHouse]

Thank you for investigating and sharing Finland's insightful approach.

[@AmandaDixson]

I find it to be very compassionate and logical. I love the Finnish

[@JudgedMentalMusic]

They have only 5 million people

[@hasonmorris4968]

That’s why I suggested using old or abandoned Malls, you can turn them into micro apartments and provide employment opportunities if we attract big corporations like Amazon or shipping companies it can also provide mental health services and childcare on premises the possibilities are only what we think of

[@huitrecouture]

Yeah cool stick all the drug addicts and drunks and mentally ill in a big old mall then expect AMAZON to HIRE THEM to deliver our valuable shit. . Then throw in some mothers with children. OH HEY just like NOW the shelters they REFUSE TO USE. YOU DEMOCRATS did away with institutionalizing that element back in the 1960s under Kennedy, dopes. Now it's BACK.

[@sonjadidyk-tn4cc]

Defund CBC and conevrt the monolith building into housing for homeless. Also turn over theoffice space accupied by civil servants into homes for the homeless. And defund civil service to pay for it. Yes, we can do it. Then there wll be room for ex-civil servnts who may need it haha

[@krazedvintagemodel]

There's a converted mall here on KZbin with tiny home apartments and a built in community feel. Good idea!

[@patrickloiseleur]

Very good video, thanks ! In France we have temporary shelters with arbitrary restrictions (you cannot get in or out between 10pm and 7am, you are kicked out at 7am, you cannot stay more than 2 weeks in the same shelter, etc). It is ideological: we help and we punish at the same time. The "housing first" approach works and is cost-efficient, but many people still struggle with the idea of giving housing "for free" to homeless or jobless people, because they see them as guilty and responsible for their situation and somehow having to pay for it. Even politicians and social workers are impregnated with this ideology of guilt preventing them to embrace the pragmatic approach.

[@MRiitta]

We treated homeless people before the same way.I am so happy that those cruel times exist no more in Finland.

[@mannyespinola9228]

Thank you for this video

[@CraftHarlot]

Worked in mental health - every time the temps dipped below freezing, we suddenly had a full census. Folks would come in for 3 hots and a cot, on a 72 hour hold through emergency rooms. They had mental health issues, certainly, but the cost of 3 days of care would have paid rent for a year. It's pathetic that our society doesn't see the wastefulness of treating people as disposable.

[@robertwoodpa6463]

How many stayed on and got help? Bet that is a short list.

[@jerrymiller9039]

There are shelters year round. They will not live in them.

[@crystalclear5397]

​@@jerrymiller9039 little do you know. Have you ever walked that mile? Have you researched what is actually available? How their system is set up? I've been down that road, it's not what you think.

[@jerrymiller9039]

@@crystalclear5397 They have random people walking across the border and they are not living on the street so if not some sort of shelter fine explain it to me.

[@crystalclear5397]

@@jerrymiller9039 Really.....No Sh*t, it is a Big World 🙄 Not 'one' person has 'the answer' good luck in life kid. 'Kid' ment by mentality not age, I know how the arrogant can be.

[@SidGameReview]

I think it makes sense to me why it works, some people who never had a helping hand ever in there life just need someone that believes in them, once you have that it feels like you can do anything.

[@ruru6643]

(::^ω^::)

[@anonplussedhuman2615]

Yes. This. This was my story. I'm better now and have a house but during homelessness I had given up.

[@leonranchero7088]

Theyre proving that each person can have some form of housing that isn't expensive or limited.

[@tomfinney3416]

after a third of my life homeless (17 years ) i can agree with the Finnish approach esp as herein the uk it is the opposite and many find themselves trapped in hostels with little support to progress as every homeless person in a hostel is a cashcow for the hostel often having to pay over 200 pounds for a room as is the norm in many salvation army hostels ,and others but salvation army are the worst for this ,who make millions out of this annually ,so it becomes financially lucrative for homeless organisations to have homelessness , so they stay in this rut for even decades ,,, three cheers for the wisdom of Finland

[@legitlyspelunking]

What I feel the biggest issue is with homelessness is not every homeless person is the same. So by treating the symptom, that being lack of a place to live, we ignore what got them there in the first place. Some people come into a tight spot and need support for a time until they get back on their feet. Others have years or even decades of mental health issues and drug abuse. The two are not the same. Definitely not saying one deserves housing more than the other, but that the overall issue of homeslessness is a much more complex problem than people make it out to be. Good informative video!

[@nickmonks9563]

This is true, but Housing First is one of the most consistent first steps toward solving each person's needs. Imagine having mental health or drug addiction issues, but not having a place to live. You already struggle with sleepless nights, inconsistent nutrition, and further don't have any stable place from night to night. You have no address, your life is unpredictable...how likely are you to stay in rehab, or pursue mental healthcare if some days you just need to deal with shelter, or food? And all this while your mind isn't working to your advantage. Thus Housing First is huge first step for the majority of homeless people looking to get off the street.

[@waitselljones8068]

"How did Finland solve homelessness?" "They gave them homes" "Oh!"

[@ZenioDovgj]

They are funny. You are homeless, don't want to do anything - here you go, free home, free money. You are a mass murderer - here you go, free cell-like flat, free food, free education, constant attention, probably millions spent on you. You work hard - you pay highest taxes, you pay for everything, you receive lower level of services as you aren't poor enough. 🤑

[@paullangford8179]

Somehow, it does seem obvious.

[@matrixace_8903]

It works because their population is homogeneous. Almost 95% are White European Fins.

[@ericcricket4877]

@@matrixace_8903 Even the immigrants have jobs and homes. What's your point?

[@tomasbeltran04050]

​@@paullangford8179 it's raðer common to have solutions feel obvious when ðey are revealed but not before

[@kaitisekhemenankhmadjar1623]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@rhammond7517]

This is better then living outside in a public parks in a tent

[@rdberg1957]

Some people need the support provided and can't remain independent without it. There is nothing wrong with supporting those who are only partially able to support themselves.

[@bootblacking]

I don't know what the point of "civilization" is if we aren't taking care of our most vulnerable people

[@georgewagner7787]

But supporting people who should disables them

[@valeriehancotte-galan4790]

As long as there is a plan of action and they are participating

[@n3d_ludd379]

God bless you Finland

[@jetcitygrljewels9719]

Four years ago while in college I wrote a thesis on homelessness. I have a huge interest in helping people that are living without homes. There was a study done in Florida where the housing first method was deployed. The study showed that the housing first method is the most successful with helping homeless people become housed, and treat addictions and mental health issues.

[@reinokarvinen8845]

my years as a homeless was so good roaming and working around the world. aah memories

[@hurri7720]

If you fall, the first thing you need, to get up and running is a space of your own, a home. Living on the street is not a good start. However as a Finn I have to add this. It's quite obvious that even very rich countries in the south with a warmer climate find it easier to look the other way regarding poverty than it is in more northern countries with a winter like in Finland and other Nordic countries. There are many reasons a person can end up homeless but the first and best solution is to end the homelessness and then try to mend the reasons. Losing your job doesn't have to be the fault of your own for instance. I want the society I live in to be fair also towards those poor bastards who are not as smart and lucky as the smart arse I am. PS. have you ever read about homeless ants or mice

[@trkstatrksta8410]

I like an honest man😅😅😅😅

[@louiselloyd1523]

so can you tell me is the Finnish method working?

[@hurri7720]

@@louiselloyd1523 , yes. it has helped a lot. I had to add that we don't end up on the street as often as we have an affordable healthcare and education and many understand to be unionized. To quote from the Wikipedia on the Nordic model. "American author Ann Jones, who lived in Norway for four years, posits that "the Nordic countries give their populations freedom from the market by using capitalism as a tool to benefit everyone" whereas in the United States "neoliberal politics puts the foxes in charge of the henhouse, and capitalists have used the wealth generated by their enterprises (as well as financial and political manipulations) to capture the state and pluck the chickens.". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_model

[@barbarabruce7648]

Wise words!

[@darthwiizius]

Who'd a thunk that making sure people have got a house to live in stops them being homeless eh? Before we were sold out to reich wing corporate entities by evil thieving c^nts like Thatcher this was standard practice, making sure social housing stocks were adequate was the primary responsibility of every local authority until Thatcher forced those local authorities to sell off their housing stocks at massive losses while stopping them from building replacements creating a housing shortage which created the housing bubble Ponzi scheme that stands in the way of building new even private property as the bubble requires artificial demand. In the UK homelessness was never a major issue until Thatcher, in her first 2 years she put 100,000 people on the streets.

[@maryswanson9982]

Thank you, Finland for being an example to the world.

[@jcsrst]

In so many ways!!

[@superdave8248]

Have you been around people who are suffering from addictions or mental illness? This process only works for people who aren't suffering from either and are simply down on their luck. And for people in that category I'd argue it would work very well. People who are suffering from addictions will use their housing as either brothels or crack houses. The goal is to feed the addiction. Nothing else. People who suffer from mental illness will not self medicate to manage their illness. They also will likely not do self care. And in both scenarios the homes provided will likely not be kept cleaned or maintained. Eventually everything gets soiled, bug infestations occur, and the repairs to the building exceed what anybody would consider a good return on the investment. Neither category of person will be able to hold a steady job so they simply aren't goin to find work. Employers want people they can trust. Not people who are unreliable or will steal from them to feed their drug habits. And then of course there is the gang element. Finland likely doesn't have a gang culture. The US does. So yes, the gangs are going to find ways to manipulate the system to bring this free housing to their advantage.

[@le_th_]

It's my understand that Norway does this, as well, and has probably one of the most compassionate and reasonable prisoner rehabilitation programs on the planet. It's not just Norway, although they're doing a good job, as well.

[@Jblaze024]

​@@superdave8248hit the nail on the head.

[@superdave8248]

@@le_th_ Having worked in the adult corrections In the US I can honestly say the system is setup for failure. Movies like the "Shawshank Redemption" might indicate that their are social programs and half way homes for incarcerated people to transition through to get readjusted to modern society, but I can honestly say these programs aren't at the level needed. For example, in my state we did have a prison facility specifically to transition non-violent inmates back into society. The facility didn't even have fences or patroling armed guards. Their entire arsenal could have fit in a small gun vault. But that same facility shut down some +15 years ago. And nothing took its place. The inmates are basically cut lose with the resources they have back to their families. And yeah, I've seen men who spent over 20 years in prison who have never even used a cell phone in their life be set free. And as for those on parole ... everyone I have seen who got arrested for violating patrol all had the exact same violation. A failure to pay their parole fees because they could not find work. There was one case in particular that opened my eyes to how bad the US system was. Guy arrested for violating his parole. He was actually arrested at his place of employment working a minimum wage job. And why was he arrested? Because members of an opposing gang claimed he had robbed them. That all it took for him to violate his parole was the sworn statement from two people who had every reason to lie about him. I have no idea if the DA eventually dropped the case or not, but the damage was done. The guy lost the only job he probably could hope to land as a convicted felon. So I bring this as a cautionary tale. That if you think somebody who is a drug addict, mentally ill, or has been incarcerated can actually become a functional member of society while they transition through their issue I'd say you are crazy. Because at the end of the day, the employer needing them isn't going to trust them to do right by them. And yes, I'd argue that system is setup to create failure.

[@cn1800]

I think the reason this has trouble catching on is because despite the program saving money, the policy always results in a net increase of tax expenditures and overlays. The money saved in ERs and police departments doesn’t mean that money is being provided to the housing first programs. Likely ERs and police agencies are spending their budget on things they need. New funding needs to be provided for the housing first program. If there were a policy to redirect funding and accounting to administer housing first in a budget neutral way, it would be a no brainer.

[@stevenhanson6749]

Family is an important part of addressing the homeless issue. Having support systems available to families is imperative.

[@oneseeker2]

Families die out!

[@MrBrock314]

@@oneseeker2 That's not usually the case unless you're referring to only your immediate family and you have no kids and are the youngest/last of the children. Most people have cousins, aunts/uncles, nephews/nieces, etc alive. A very few unlucky people don't (like being the sole survivor in Hiroshima or the Holocaust) but it's highly unlikely.

[@zelly4914]

At first I was like, "So what, it's like a lot of low income apartments here"..... then they threw in the 20 on-site social workers and I choked up. Oh my God. What an incredible support network. We have a few things in my area that are similar, but on a much smaller scale (4 -7 people with 1 to 2 unpaid mentors).

[@melonchilisauce4219]

The housing unit I was in was about 30ish apartments, and the only person on site was just the lady you gave rent to. If we could stop politicians from stealing the shit out of all our money maybe we could have a support system like that. Makes all the difference.

[@19inthemiddle]

I reacted the way you did. My mouth dropped when I heard the social workers and support.

[@dorisimbornone7505]

How about churches who claim to be Christians but don't help others, only tell people to tithe while the preachers live like their millionaire's wearing expensive suits, drive multiple cars, outlandish jewelry and other things! The bible says if you see someone that is in need would you help or would you pass them by! Many pass them by or give them spiritual pamphlets and they think they are doing God's work!! That is a sin in itself! 🙏

[@sunfollower5623]

What a novel idea 😳 taking care of your citizens. We do not know what this is like in the states.

[@tesmith47]

CAPITALISM ONLY TAKES CARE OF THE RICH citizens!!

[@deborahszafraniec4829]

We definitely do not take care of our own! It's hard not to become bitter when people illegally entering have all their basic needs met while Americans, especially veterans, are ignored!

[@syberphish]

Their personal income tax rate is 57%. Don't forget that part. Sales tax of 24%. Corporate tax: 20%, Social Security Rate: 31.55%, GDP of -0.6, GDP growth rate of 0%, inflation 7.9% Yeah that's a real model of a winning way to do things. Tax the sh*t out of everyone and still go broke. Homelessness is their last concern in Finland, but the guy who made this video has a narrative he's pushing, so he didn't bother explaining any of that. Finland is going broke. Because someone still has to PAY for all of it. Gee, what a "novel" idea.

[@leehughart3160]

One of the first advocate videos that is balanced and talks plainly about the costs and the difficulties of replication.

[@LukeAndGilRandolph]

I appreciate the balanced perspective. You discuss the benefits, data and criticisms. A hopeful, but realistic view! I hope that the US can develop a similar system that works for us.

[@alaska79]

A lot of this also has to do with the Finnish people. Americans for the most part would take advantage of this. And abuse it. Therefore ruining it for others. I was homeless for a bit and people couldn't even act right at the shelters.

[@fightingtosurvive6527]

In the same way that section 8 has been abused so much that most landlords don't want to accept housing vouchers from anybody even if you're Senior & Disabled like I am.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

The Finnish are taking advantage of it. Did you watch the video? Very few people ever go from the government subsidized housing into independent housing. They basically live at state expense their entire lives.

[@ZenioDovgj]

@@mirzaahmed6589 This is life from my taxes. I would accept lower taxes to afford to spend time not as a work slave. why should I work for almost the same level as other get for free?

[@muttakun]

​@@ZenioDovgj if you're a Finnish citizen you too can stop working and get government sponsored cheap housing anytime you want! the option is available for everybody. you would probably need to prove that you don't have money for anything else though, so you should get rid of all of your possessions and job, first.

[@samamies88]

@@mirzaahmed6589 Some take advantage and stay in that kinda housing solution on purpose. But there are also people who try to sober up and get a job - but its not easy when "friends" around the person are still using and because you don't have work history its not easy to get a decent job either. So not getting back to independent housing isn't only because the ex-homeless wants to abuse the system - it might just be that no one is giving them a chance to get better.

[@hellviskamacaro]

I once read a comment that said you always see the dark side of things. Happy to see that you can talk about the positive things with the same level that you talk about the negative things. Great video!

[@yvettefilgo5383]

There's lots of abandoned apt's and houses and business offices in the US with electricity.Its a help up not hand out.what an awesome idea.I hope city officials watch this Especially during the giant homeless crisis in the US

[@javannagynagy6683]

Well done Finland

[@spsk9025]

I’ve been asking myself about how to do that in a massive scale, and this videos just dropped in my lap, so many possibilities, thank you for sharing