Why Eastern European? Western European countries like the UK, France, Germany have much higher rates of homelessness than Eastern Europe (other than Ukraine for obvious reasons).
Most of the homeless people you meet in the streets of Dutch cities are from Eastern Europe. Most of them aren't counted in official statistics because they weren't registered at a house in the Netherlands long enough. Many of them don't want to go back when offered a ticket home and some cash. They prefer to stay outside in the Netherlands. Staying inside in Finland sounds better to me.
I don't have an official source, because we don't have any in the Netherlands. I can share some articles about this group of homeless people if you are interested, but it is anecdotal evidence.
Read more about the program. It's an extremely well-run sustainable program and it has rules, including that the tenants pay rent (they either work, or they get benefits out of which they pay rent). The non-profit buys or builds housing and support staff is provided, but daily operations are funded through rent. The staff on site help with paperwork (like applying for benefits) various other supports, etc.
And there are rules to follow. It's housing without pre-conditions, not housing without conditions. The organization that runs it evicts active troublemakers because they would poison the whole environment for those trying to stabilize.
Thanks, do you have a link to read more? It sounds like for example someone doesn't get homeless in Finland when having a stable income but not wealthy enough for private rent or buying. Too good to be true.
Well no, it's also for people on government benefits/support, and the workers help them apply and navigate the process. It's genuinely meant to be no barrier to entry, and then support to keep you there once you enter.
But yeah, if you're showing antisocial behavior and making the building feel unsafe for all the other vulnerable people, you don't belong. There's no point in allowing the majority of your clients to be harmed.
Google about how Y Foundation runs. Not the brief articles about Housing First that don't go into detail but more detailed analysis. It's an amazing and supportive program and it works because it has rules. The last time I looked it up their eviction rate was about 20%, which means their success rate was 80% which is really great.
But I will say for me, those things are only disadvantages because of corruption and intentionality made loopholes that allow businesses to do these shady practices is what's the actual problem.
But that's a problem with the system itself and a different discussion entirely.
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u/opinionate_rooster Slovenia 2d ago
Finland: "Hold my beer." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_First