Night of the Homeless – engaging programme and a public demonstration, open to everyone

This year’s national theme is ‘Visible, Yet Invisible – Male Homelessness in Finland’. The theme shines a spotlight on a phenomenon that is widespread in the statistics but often overlooked in public debate: homelessness among men, particularly young men.

– The aim of the Night of the Homeless is to keep homelessness and its many forms part of the public conversation. Homelessness is unfortunately on the rise in Vaasa as well, reflecting the national trend. The situation is made worse by rising poverty, unemployment, and a shortage of small, affordable rental homes. At the same time, Vaasa’s population is growing rapidly, says Sanna Halonen, Housing Advisor.

The event welcomes everyone

The Night of the Homeless event aims to reach decision-makers, professionals in the social welfare and healthcare sectors, media representatives, and people who are affected by homelessness in some way. The event is politically and religiously unaffiliated and open to everyone.

– We hope that despite the autumn break, people in Vaasa will find their way to the event. The programme features engaging discussions and information about services available in the Vaasa region. You can drop in for a short while, attend the programme items that interest you most and visit the advice and information stands run by local organisations, Halonen adds.

Aiming to make a difference

The Night of the Homeless is observed annually on 17 October, the UN Day Against Poverty and Social Exclusion, across Finland. It is Finland’s largest awareness event focused on social welfare and healthcare. The purpose of the event is to remind people that housing is a fundamental right and to urge decision-makers to take action to prevent and end homelessness.

Event details

Location: Korsholmanpuistikko 44, 1st floor 65100 Vaasa
Date and time: Saturday 17 October, from 13 to 16
Theme: Visible, Yet Invisible – Male Homelessness in Finland

Programme:

The programme will be mainly in Finnish.

• 13.00 The event begins
• 13.10 Welcome address, Sanna Halonen, Housing Advisor with the City of Vaasa
• 13.15 Keynote speech ‘Homelessness in Vaasa and efforts to address it’, Jonas Nylén, Housing Manager with the City of Vaasa
• 14.00 Panel discussion featuring Riku Niemistö, Director of Services for the Working-Age Population at the Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia; Kirsi Ikäheimonen, Executive Director of the Vaasa Settlement Association; and Mimmi Eskelä, a student and the Urban Policy Representative on the Executive Board of Student Union of the University of Vaasa VYY. The panel discussion will be moderated by Sanna Halonen.
• 15.15 Music, Jordi Storm
• 16.00 The event ends

Everyone interested in the topic is warmly welcome to attend!

Taking part in the event:
Vaasa’s Finnish Parish, SPR ReShop, the City of Vaasa Welfare Unit, Paussi Day Centre, the Vaasa Settlement Association, USM missbrukarvård, Mieli Pohjanmaa and Lions Club Vaasa.

Organiser:
The Housing Advisory Service of the City of Vaasa in collaboration with partners.