The Social Welfare Act (1301/2014) includes information about “housing services” as “social service” (§§§ 11, 14, and 21). There are two types of housing services; “service housing” and “supported accommodation”. According to 21 § housing services are provided for persons who, for special reasons, need help and support with organizing housing or their living conditions.
Moreover, the Child Welfare Act (417/2007) 35 § states that Social Authorities must provide housing according to need if a child’s welfare is in danger. Finnish
Young people (18-21 years) who have been taken into custody and to whom after-care is provided are practically the only group of people in Finland who have a subjective right to housing (§ 35: “Adequate financial support and accommodation must also be arranged for a child or young person for whom after-care is being provided under section 75(1) if the child’s or young person’s rehabilitation so requires.” )[2]
In terms of the Council of Europe, Finland has ratified the Revised European Social Charter on 21/06/2002, accepting 88 of the 98 paragraphs of the Revised Charter, including the Article 31 on the right to housing. It also ratified the Additional Protocol providing for a system of Collective Complaints on 17/07/1998. Finland has made a declaration enabling national NGOs to submit collective complaints.
Last update: 25 January 2017
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