Finland’s general housing allowance now primarily supports unemployed and low-income earners

Finland’s Social Insurance Institution (Kela) reports that general housing allowance recipients are now mostly unemployed individuals and low-income earners, with students transitioning to other forms of support, according to Kela’s 2023 housing benefit statistics.

The number of households receiving general housing allowance fell to 240,400 in December 2023, down nearly 142,000 from the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of recipients of the student financial aid housing supplement rose sharply to 147,000 in December 2023, compared to just 7,300 in 2022.

Kela paid out over €2 billion in various housing benefits last year, with general housing allowance accounting for roughly €1.2 billion—over half the total. The student housing supplement amounted to €165 million, while basic social assistance covered €460 million in housing costs. Combined, Kela’s total housing-related payments exceeded €2.5 billion.