Stalemate in Jyväskylä – a day center for substance abusers not wanted in the neighborhood, nearly 30 properties already searched
Authorities in Jyväskylä are struggling to find a new location for a day center for substance users due to neighborhood opposition and safety concerns.
In Jyväskylä, a day center known as Hanska, which serves homeless individuals and substance users, is facing significant challenges in finding a new facility. Opened in 2019 in the city's central area, Hanska has seen a notable increase in visitor numbers, leading to overcrowding in its current location. The Central Finland Welfare Area has been searching for alternative spaces for over a year, emphasizing the growing need for these services in the community.
Ongoing discussions regarding safety and disturbances in Jyväskylä's downtown area have complicated the search for a new site. Officials, including Satu Kokkonen, manager of adult rehabilitation services, have suggested moving Hanska further away from its current location on Hannikaisenkatu based on feedback from a city security task force. This reflects the community's concerns about disturbances associated with the center and underscores the tension between the necessity of such services and neighborhood preferences.
Despite assessing at least 27 potential properties, the Welfare Area has yet to secure a lease agreement for a new site. The search has encompassed both public and private properties, but the combination of rising visitor numbers and community resistance has created a stalemate in the process. This situation raises broader questions about how to balance essential social services with local community sentiments and safety issues, particularly in urban environments where such facilities are often contentious.