Migri closes group homes for minor asylum seekers in Lahti and Savonlinna

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is closing group homes for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in Lahti and Savonlinna. This decision is part of a reduction in the number of places within youth units, leading to the termination of contracts with Kotokunta Oy, which manages the Lahti facility, and JST Solum Oy, which operates the Savonlinna location. Operations at both group homes will cease by the end of this year.

Currently, the Lahti group home, located in Hennala, accommodates 13 minors, with a total capacity of 21. Similarly, the Savonlinna facility also has a capacity of 21 but is currently housing ten children. Katja Pietiläinen, the acting head of the Lahti unit, notes that the number of children can change rapidly; for instance, last winter, all accommodations were fully occupied.

Pietiläinen confirms that the children at the group home have been informed about the situation. Migri has not yet determined where the minors will be relocated following the closure of these group homes. Elina Nurmi, head of Migri’s reception services department, stated that each case will be assessed individually to find suitable placements.

Migri is reducing the number of places in the youth units to align with current demand, as there has been a notable decrease in the number of arrivals and an increase in the transfer of minors to municipalities. Currently, Migri operates 20 youth units across Finland, while there are a total of 72 reception centers and their branches nationwide.