When three members of the Jimmy’s Cambridge team travelled to Helsinki, they didn’t just step into sub-zero temperatures – they stepped into a country that has almost ended rough sleeping.
Earlier this autumn, Chief Executive Natasha Davies, Head of Services Bea Taylor, and Housing Team Lead Matt Wiseman visited Finland’s capital to see first-hand how the Housing First model has transformed lives across the country. They returned to Cambridge inspired by what they saw – and full of ideas about what could work here at home.
Why Finland?
Finland has become a global example of what’s possible when housing is treated as a basic human right.
In the 1980s, more than 18,000 Finns were homeless, with thousands sleeping rough in temperatures that could reach –20 °C. Today, that number has fallen dramatically. In Helsinki, rough sleeping has been almost eradicated.
This transformation has been driven by the Y-Foundation, a non-profit housing provider that owns over 20,000 homes across Finland. Working with local municipalities, the Foundation offers people permanent tenancies first, then wraps flexible support around them – the reverse of most traditional models.
“What’s remarkable about Finland’s success is the simplicity of the idea – everyone deserves a home first,” says Natasha Davies.
“Once people have that front door and that sense of safety, all the other support can follow. It’s normal housing, not special housing.”
What We Saw in Helsinki
The Jimmy’s team toured several Housing First sites, including a development that was once a 400-bed hostel, now converted into 80 self-contained studio flats.
Each resident has their own kitchen, bathroom and living space, alongside welcoming communal areas – bright lounges, shared kitchens, even a sauna (an essential part of Finnish life!). The buildings are calm, clean and beautifully maintained, with residents taking real pride in their surroundings.
Bea Taylor recalls:
“Everywhere we went, people were happy. Residents had made their flats their own – one man proudly showed us his Led Zeppelin posters and guitars. It didn’t feel institutional; it felt like a home.”
At every site, residents could take part in ‘low-threshold work activities’ – small paid jobs such as making crafts, gardening, or litter-picking local parks. Participants earn a modest €2 per hour, up to €8 a day, but staff explained that it’s not about the money – it’s about purpose, connection and belonging.
“There was a real buzz,” says Matt Wiseman. “People were chatting, laughing, working together. It gave structure to the day and built relationships – something we could really learn from.”
Dignity and Trust at the Heart
Perhaps the most striking difference was the level of trust and autonomy given to residents.
There’s no expectation that people must be abstinent or “treatment ready” before being housed. Instead, the focus is on providing a safe and permanent home where people can make positive changes in their own time.
“They choose to house human beings with known substance-use issues,” Matt explains. “Why would you punish someone for using? They support people as they are, not as we want them to be.”
Every property is staffed by trained professionals – qualified social workers, social instructors and on-site nurses – who can provide medical care and support directly. This reduces pressure on external health services and helps residents build trust with professionals.
The Y-Foundation also invests heavily in eviction prevention. Out of 20,000 tenancies across Finland, they recorded only 20 evictions in the last year – a statistic that left the Jimmy’s team speechless.
Funding and Community
The Finnish model combines state-backed bank loans, government grants, and charitable investment. Residents pay affordable rents through the benefits system, and local authorities collaborate closely with housing charities to maintain quality and oversight.
But it’s not just about finance – it’s about community. In the mixed-tenure buildings the team visited, luxury apartments sit alongside Housing First flats. Residents from all backgrounds live side by side. There’s no stigma, no segregation – just neighbours.
“Your neighbour could be anyone,” says Natasha. “Someone who used to sleep rough, someone who works in an office, someone who’s retired – and that’s completely normal. It’s the definition of inclusion.”
What Jimmy’s Hopes to Bring Home
While the UK’s housing and welfare systems differ from Finland’s, the visit sparked practical ideas for Cambridge.
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More self-contained accommodation: giving residents their own front door, kitchen and bathroom wherever possible.
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Meaningful work and activity: expanding opportunities for residents to earn small payments for community work, such as gardening, maintenance or local litter-picking.
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Greater integration: building stronger connections between Jimmy’s residents and the wider Cambridge community.
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Professional development: exploring partnerships with local universities to bring student social workers or nurses on placement, increasing specialist support.
“If you give someone a beautiful space to live in, they start to feel worthy of it,” says Natasha. “That sense of dignity changes everything.”
The team also recognised the value of allowing people to stay longer in stable accommodation. In Finland, tenancies are permanent, and people move on only when they’re ready. The Jimmy’s team are reflecting on how that philosophy could influence services here.
Looking Forward
Inspired by their Finnish hosts, Jimmy’s will soon host a co-production workshop with staff and residents to explore new ideas – from paid activity programmes to community engagement projects.
“We might not have Finland’s national funding model,” says Natasha, “but we can adopt the same spirit – kindness, creativity and treating people as equals in our community.”
The visit proved that tackling homelessness isn’t just about buildings; it’s about belief – the belief that everyone deserves a home, care and the chance to belong.
Find out more about how Jimmy’s Cambridge supports people out of homelessness here
Inspired by Finland’s Housing First success? Share this story and help us spread the message that everyone deserves a home.
Find out more about Housing First here.
