In 2025, homelessness in Finland surged more dramatically than ever recorded, with Helsinki showing a notable rise. By the end of that year, the city had nearly a thousand homeless individuals, among which 340 were long-term homeless. This troubling trend is exacerbated by the increasing number of single homeless individuals, which rose significantly from 786 to 979 within a year, highlighting an urgent need for intervention.

Leena Luhtasela, the head of youth services and adult social work in Helsinki, expressed deep concern and frustration regarding the growing numbers, despite substantial efforts to reduce them. The challenges are compounded by government decisions believed to hinder progress in resolving the crisis. The situation for the homeless has been aggravated mainly due to the impoverishment of already low-income individuals, driven by cuts to housing and social support by the government, which has made it increasingly difficult for vulnerable populations to maintain stable housing.

As experts assess the continued rise in homelessness, there’s a clear call for urgent action. The increase in solitary homelessness is particularly alarming, raising questions about social support systems and economic policies. The Helsinki authorities are now working on targeted actions to reverse this trend, though they face significant hurdles as they tackle the core issues of poverty and housing affordability that lead to such high rates of homelessness in the city.