15: I would make HOUSING affordable globally: Juha Kahila (Y-Säätiö)

Should housing be a human right? Today we delve into a transformative solution to homelessness, inspired by Finland’s success. Our guest, Juha Kahila, brings over a decade of expertise and currently serves as the international coordinator of the Y Foundation (Y-Säätiö) in Finland. This episode explores the Housing First approach, showcasing its effectiveness and potential as a global blueprint for ending homelessness.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Homelessness in Finland:

• Juha provides an overview of homelessness in Finland, including the historical context and current status.
• Insights into why Finland's approach is uniquely successful compared to other countries.

The Housing First Approach:

• Detailed discussion of the Housing First model, which provides permanent homes as a foundational step for tackling other social issues.
• Examination of how this approach was adapted from its American origins to fit Finland's socio-economic context.

Cost-Effectiveness and Societal Benefits:

• Juha explains why housing people is not just a moral imperative but also a cost-effective solution.
• Statistical evidence from Finland showing the impact of Housing First on community welfare and homelessness reduction.

Expanding the Model Globally:

• Challenges and considerations for implementing Housing First in diverse socio-economic environments, such as the UK, Germany, France, and the US.
• Potential adaptations needed to address varying challenges in these countries.

Personal Insights and Broader Implications:

• Juha shares his personal journey into this field and what motivated him to dedicate his career to ending homelessness.
• Discussion on the broader implications of Housing First, the prevention of homelessness, and addressing the harm from inequality.

Calls to Action and Future Directions:

• Insights on how listeners and policymakers can advocate for and implement Housing First strategies in their own regions.
• The importance of teaching compassion and practical actions to support vulnerable populations.

Conclusion and How to Get Involved: Juha Kahila’s insights provide a hopeful vision of a world where homelessness can be effectively addressed. For listeners inspired to learn more about initiatives like Housing First, visit the Y Foundation.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Juha Kahila

Follow Gillian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/

Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/

Mentions & Resources

• Public attitudes towards homelessness: wave one (April 2021)
• The homelessness monitor: England 2023
• Sam Tsemberis
• Invisible People: Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First)
• OECD recent data on homelessness

What would you do if you ruled the world?

If you have any insights or feedback on today’s episode or you have an idea for how the world could be a better place, drop me an email on [email protected]

A final thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen, and to The Wildlife Trusts for their continued support.

Produced by Soundquake

Host: Gillian Burke

Exec Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner

Producer: Ffion Clarke

Editor: Jake-Lee Savage

Sponsor: Triodos Bank