Currently homelessness is not a criminal offence in Finland. However, certain everyday activities of homeless people are prohibited, as they are considered to jeopardise public order and safety; examples include drinking in public, littering, and urinating and defecating in public. Loitering and vagrancy are not in themselves criminal offences, however police and security personnel are authorised to intervene if an activity is considered disturbing or is endangering public safety. Currently, begging is not criminalised in Finland, but the possibility of prohibiting begging has been discussed in many forums, including the Finnish parliament. The current government programme has noted that aggressive and intrusive begging is a particular problem. Camping without the permission of the land owner is allowed to some extent in Finland, however some cities only permit camping on designated camping areas.
The Constitution of Finland sets out fundamental rights and freedoms. Public authorities must guarantee the observance of fundamental rights, which include rights such as the right to equal treatment and the right to social protection. Municipalities in Finland are responsible for organising housing for those in need of support. The Finnish government has initiated strategies and action programmes to tackle homelessness. These strategies include reducing the use of conventional shelters in favour of supported, rented accommodation. In addition, there are some programmes which address the development of services for the homeless in Finland.
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