The Helsinki city council has approved a zoning change in the Sepänmäki area of Ala-Malmi, which will lead to the construction of new housing for approximately 1,300 residents. This development is set to replace 15 existing rental houses owned by Heka, which currently house around 500 residents. The decision has been met with a sense of loss among the community, particularly for long-time residents like Kirsi Huhta, who has lived in the area since childhood. She emphasizes the community's close-knit nature and the anxiety brought by the impending demolition.

Residents have expressed feelings of uncertainty and sadness over the future of their homes, as many have experienced a prolonged period of anxiety regarding how long they will be able to continue living in the affected buildings. Huhta notes that the presence of original residents, including senior citizens, is being threatened, leading to a breakdown in the sense of community. Some residents have already chosen to relocate, driven by the uncertainty, while others continue to move into the neighborhood despite the looming demolition.

This development underscores the ongoing tension between urban development and community stability in Helsinki, highlighting the need for sensitive approaches to housing in rapidly changing urban environments. The city’s push for new housing reflects broader demographic trends but also raises critical questions about the fate of existing residents and the preservation of community identity in the face of modernization.