Hidden homelessness excludes people from services – The Red Cross is involved in Night of the Homeless events around Finland

The Night of the Homeless is held annually in Finland on 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty declared by the UN.

This year, the Night of the Homeless focuses particularly on discussion about hidden homelessness.

People experiencing hidden homelessness are usually not included in statistics, as a result of which they do not always get access to the services that they would be entitled to. Hidden homelessness can undermine the well-being of already vulnerable people and expose them to various forms of abuse and violence.

The Finnish Red Cross works to prevent the causes of homelessness and offers various types of free-of-charge support

There are a variety of reasons behind homelessness, such as poverty, illness and social exclusion. Homelessness undermines dignified life and is one of the most extreme forms of poverty.

The Finnish Red Cross works to prevent the causes of homelessness through substance abuse work, prison visits and youth shelter activities, and by providing discussion aid, health advice and food aid. The Finnish Red Cross provides concrete help to young people in finding and retaining an apartment, for example. Food aid, on the other hand, can bring relief in a financially challenging situation and help people cope with everyday life. Some of the recipients of the Finnish Red Cross’s food aid also end up helping others and becoming food aid volunteers themselves.

 “The food aid that we provide is much more than just handing out food bags. Our volunteers treat each person in need of aid as a unique individual with their own life story and situation. Our food aid is free of charge and available to everyone. We also organise communal meals where participants can talk to volunteers or other participants, measure their blood pressure at our Health Point and receive support for filling out various aid applications or substance abuse counselling,” says Eveliina Yli-Rahnasto, planner of the Finnish Red Cross's Food and Inclusion project.

The Finnish Red Cross was involved in the establishment and remains an active member of Y-Säätiö. Y-Säätiö works to eliminate homelessness by offering affordable housing for homeless people.

Night of the Homeless events in 2024

The Night of the Homeless events organised around Finland throughout the week offer support for those in need and feature discussion about the underlying causes of homelessness, such as poverty and social exclusion.

This year, the Finnish Red Cross is involved in the following Night of the Homeless events organised in collaboration with partners around Finland (the list is being updated):

Forssa: Forssa Market Square, 17.10. from 17:00 to 20:00. Public event with food, clothing distribution, music, and other activities.

Hankasalmi: Asemakatu 1, 17.10. from 18:00 to 22:00. Food distribution.

Hämeenlinna: Hämeenlinna Market Square, 17.10. from 16:00 to 20:00. Public event with goods and clothing distribution, food, music, and other activities.

Joroinen: Myrskylyhty Association, Koskentie 9, 17.10. from 9:00. Free salty and sweet snacks with coffee at Myrskylyhty. Bingo starts at 9:00.

Jyväskylä: Lounaispuisto, Minna Canth Street 11, 17.10. from 16:00 to 22:00. The event theme is “Hidden Homelessness,” more information here.

Kokkola: Western Park, 17.10. from 19:00 to 21:00. The event offers sausages, pancakes, and other small snacks, live music, clothes, shoes, and other donated items, as well as hygiene products.

Kuopio: Kuopio Market Square, 17.10. from 17:00 to 20:00. The event offers soup, speeches, music, and clothing donations.

Laukaa: Retrokeidas, Saravedentie 1, 17.10. from 16:00 to 20:00. Public event with sausage grilling and other activities.

Loimaa: Loimaa Market Square, 17.10. from 16:00 to 19:00. Public event with small snacks.

Oulu: Rotuaari, Oulu city center, 17.10. from 14:00 to 17:00. The Red Cross catering team prepares food for 150 people and distributes hygiene bags. Mental support and Red Cross friends will walk around and talk to people.

Pirkkala: Suupantori, 17.10. from 15:00 to 18:00. Public event with food, clothing distribution, and other activities.

Pori: Eetunaukio, 17.10. from 19:00 to 21:30. Public event with sausage grilling, Satasirkus performance, music, and other activities.

Rauma: Toivontalo courtyard, Lyseokatu 7, 17.10. from 17:00 to 21:00. Public event with grilled sausages, buns, and warm drinks. Clothing distribution. Red Cross Health Point and Inclusion Project.

Rovaniemi: Lordi Square, 17.10. from 18:00 to 21:00. Public event with soup and pancakes, music, speeches, distribution of goods, and haircuts.

Seinäjoki: Central Square/Kirkonkranni auditorium foyer, 17.10. from 18:00. Public event with music, discussions, and small evening snacks.

Siilinjärvi: Siilinjärvi Market Square, 17.10. from 17:00 to 20:00. Offering sausages, music, discussions, and meetings.

Tampere: Meeting Place Tampuri, 19.10. from 17:00 to 21:00. An event open to all, organized by the Finnish Red Cross Tampere branch, with food service, health advice, and clothing donations.

Turku: Cathedral Square, 17.10. from 18:00 to 22:00. Public event with food, pancakes, clothes, music, speeches, haircuts, and a health point.

Valkeakoski: Walpuri, Valtakatu 16, 17.10. from 17:30 to 20:30. Public event with food, clothing distribution, health point, and financial advice.

You can also browse Night of the Homeless events organised in collaboration with partners on the website of the Night of the Homeless Citizens’ Movement (events in Finnish).