Article categories: News
‘No home, no security’ – Night of the Homeless is marked with a timely theme
Published: 10.10.2025
The Night of the Homeless will take place in Vaasa in the Draama Room at the Main Library on Friday 17 October, from 17 to 20.30. The event will bring together a wide network of social and health sector actors, decisionmakers and experts. The programme features live music, sand art, social discussion, as well as food and clothing for those in need.
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.
The Night of the Homeless citizens’ movement seeks to spark a nationwide discussion on safety and insecurity. The theme for 2025 is ‘No home, no security’. The theme starkly reflects the current situation: after more than ten years of positive progress, homelessness in Finland is once again on the rise.
– The aim of the Night of the Homeless is to encourage a discussion about homelessness and its many forms. In line with the national trend, homelessness is also on the rise in Vaasa. The situation is made worse by the shortage of small and affordable rental flats. At the same time, Vaasa’s population is growing rapidly, says Sanna Halonen, Housing Advisor.
In Vaasa, the event is organised by the Housing Advisory Service of the City of Vaasa in collaboration with partners.
The 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 The event is open to all.
– We hope that, despite the autumn break, people in Vaasa will find their way to the event. The programme features many engaging discussions, and art plays a significant role in the event. The 3.5-hour event allows visitors to drop in and follow the parts of the programme that interest them, Halonen encourages.
Event details
Location: Draama Room, Vaasa Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13
Date and time: Friday 17 October from 17–20.30.
Theme: No home, no security
Programme:
The programme will be mainly in Finnish, but the lecture starting at 17.30 will be in Swedish.
- 17.00 The event begins Welcome address – Sanna Halonen Presenting partners
- 17.15 Greeting from the city – Chair of the City Board Jasmin Granholm
- 17.25 Video greeting – Archbishop Tapio Luoma
- 17.30 Lecture ‘Visible vulnerability’ (‘Den synliga utsattheten’) – Peter Ehrström, Docent, University Lecturer, University of Helsinki (in Swedish)
- 18.00 Video greeting – Member of the European Parliament Maria Ohisalo
- 18.05 Sand art – Svitlana Matvienko
- 18.15 Interview with an expert by experience – Aatu Rinne, Mieli Ostrobothnia
- 18.35 Panel discussion – Hanna-Kaisa Pernaa, VAMK; Teea Korkeamäki, Vaasa Prison; Kari Hietala, Vaasa Police Department. Moderator Sanna Halonen.
- 19.40 Music – Jenny, Jones & Jaulimo. A collective of three wanderers, music from many moulds.
- 20.30 Thanks and closing remarks. The event ends.
Pancakes, coffee, tea, and warm clothing are available for those in need. Local organisations and service providers will also be available to present their services and offer advice.
The event is open to all interested parties. Welcome!
Participating in the event:
Attendo, Martat ry, Mieli Ostrobothnia, Mielle ry, Youth information and counselling service Reimari, Röda Korset Österbotten, Finnish Parish in Vaasa and Food Aid Vaasa.
Organiser:
The Housing Advisory Service of the City of Vaasa in collaboration with partners.