Vantaa housing advisor warns students seek help too late after eviction

More young people in Vantaa are at risk of homelessness this summer due to changes in student housing benefits, according to the city’s housing advisory service.

The benefit, previously available year-round, now covers only study months, leaving students without support during the summer. With high rents in the Helsinki region consuming a large share of low incomes, losing housing makes finding a new home difficult, says Tiina Irjala, project manager at Vantaa’s housing advisory service.

Evictions in Finland have risen since 2021, with Vantaa recording over 500 evictions in 2024—35 percent of them involving people under 30. Irjala reports a growing share of young clients at the advisory service, where nearly 40 percent of young visitors are already homeless, compared to 20 percent across all clients.

Many seek help only after receiving an eviction notice or when enforcement is imminent, she says. Vantaa’s service points see about 100 clients monthly, with youth making up 18 percent of the homeless population—slightly above the national average.

Irjala and Kia Wilenius, chair of Sakki ry which represents vocational students, urge landlords to show flexibility. Some students face delays in receiving income support decisions, leaving them with few options to manage daily life.

Irjala advises students to prioritise rent payments, plan finances, apply for support early, explore summer study options, and seek guidance from local services like Ohjaamo or housing advisory offices.