Houselessness

Finland has lowered their homelessness rates by 75% since 2008

Peter Schulte / April 18, 2025

Finland estimates that 3,806 citizens are currently experiencing homelessness (about 0.06% of the Finnish population). In comparison, over 771,480 Americans were counted as unhoused in January 2025 (about 0.2% of the US population). The feat is even more remarkable when noting that Finland’s method of counting homelessness is much more inclusive than other leading countries. In Finland, homelessness statistics include individuals temporarily living with friends and relatives, living in an institution, staying in hostels, congregate shelters, and “rough sleeping” outside on the streets.

Number of houseless people in Japan hits record low

Peter Schulte / April 26, 2024

The number of unhoused people in Japan fell 8.0% as of January from a year earlier to 2,820, the lowest level since data began in 2003, the health ministry said in a recent survey report.

Man giving a helping hand to woman in need sitting on dark street

Baltimore finalizes $18 million deal to acquire hotels for long-term homeless housing

Peter Schulte / February 21, 2024

Once the city takes over operations of the hotels at the end of this year, it intends to convert the units for “permanent supportive housing,” a form of affordable housing that provides subsidized rent and social services, health care, counseling and other supports. The city plans to partner with a nonprofit provider to offer services to residents in the two buildings.

Denver meets goal of housing 1000 unhoused people before 2024

Peter Schulte / January 2, 2024

With the opening of a new micro-community in northeast Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston estimated over 1,100 hundred people will have been housed before the end of 2023. “As of yesterday, this city succeeded, in under six months, in moving more than 1,000 people off of the streets and into housing,” he said.

A homeless person sitting in front of the building

The U.K. repeals anti-homelessness law

Peter Schulte / March 3, 2022

There’s been a shift in policing attitudes overall, with police forces saying that they were moving away from arresting people under this act in favor of more “meaningful solutions.”

Rajasthan trials more holistic approach to combat homelessness

Peter Schulte / September 15, 2021

The four-month program offers practical skill training and emotional support to 100 homeless men. Participants are provided with food and a room, as well as a stipend exceeding India’s minimum wage.

Veteran homelessness in the U.S. decreased by nearly 50% between 2009 and 2018

Peter Schulte / August 11, 2021

Many veterans have connected with rapid re-housing through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. In 2015 alone, the SSVF program helped nearly 100,000 veterans and about 35,000 children remain in their homes or quickly exit homelessness,