Finland

Homeless Academy Association

Homeless Academy Association was established in 2006 as part of the Helsinki Deaconess Institute’s football project in association with Suojatiery (Crossing Society). They are supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and the Finnish Football Association.

They are based in Helsinki and organise competitions, coaching, educational and recreational activities for different groups, and coordinate activities with other social agencies.

Meet the Team

Top row (from left to right); Ari Hulden (Team leader), Joni Sivula (Coach), Teemu Tuomainen, Bhim Dhungana, Aleksi Juvakka, Pasi Björkqvist, Pasi Nurmela (Physio), Teijo Salminen (Psychology coach). Bottom row (left to right); Teemu Åman, Marko Salmi (Goalkeeper), Joni Kankainen and Lauri Niku-Paavo

Organisation Details

Participants

Men and women affected by homelessness and substance abuse

Locations

Across Finland

Homelessness Statistics

54%

Of homeless families are immigrants (FEANTSA, 2017)

In the late 1980s there were nearly 20,000 homeless people in Finland. In 2017 there were 7,112, with 1,893 long-term homeless, marking a decrease of 64% over 30 years (FEANTSA, 2017; ARA, 2017).

Finland is on track to achieve near eradication of recurrent and long-term homelessness, and approaching a time when experiencing any form of homelessness will be uncommon (EOH, 2017).