Tampere Homelessness Rises to 468: More Working Households at Risk

The city recorded 468 single-person homeless people last year, up from 391 the previous year, and long-term homelessness also rose, Tamperelainen reports.

The threat of losing a home is increasingly affecting people who work and other low-income households, says Elisa Silván, housing adviser at Tampereen A-kilta. Contacts rose over the summer and early autumn from people who lost jobs or saw housing allowances and other benefits cut. She says Kela's benefit levels have not kept pace with rising rents, and there are too few apartments available within Kela limits. Silván urges people to seek help early; the sooner they do, the more housing options are likely to be available, and she warns that women are particularly vulnerable when homelessness threatens.

Tampere will hold Homeless Night on 17 October from 14:00 to 21:00 at Kumppanuustalo Artteli, Mustanlahdenkatu 22. The event offers advice and support, warm food and drinks, and donated clothing and hygiene items. A panel on homelessness, poverty and services runs from 16:00 to 18:00, and the evening includes a performance by Samae Koskinen. Donations of new hygiene items, underwear, winter clothes and usable phones and chargers are accepted until 16 October. Volunteer orientation is scheduled for 12 October.