mark horvathThe acclaimed YouTube documentary artist spotlighted Finland’s unique strategy to tackle homelessness in his latest documentary, which garnered worldwide attention with over 1 million views. The founder of his Invisible People YouTube channel, famous for telling stories of homelessness, chose Helsinki as the location for his exploration because of Finland’s remarkable success in virtually eliminating homelessness.
Horvath’s visit to Helsinki in August was more than just a photography expedition. It was an insightful journey to understand Finland’s model, famously known as “Housing First.” Unlike many global cities that grapple with visible street homelessness, Helsinki’s streets tell a different story, one that Horvath keenly observed and recorded. His experience was so profound that he did not have to hand out clean socks to the homeless, which was always done during his travels, he said, underscoring Helsinki’s extraordinary progress in this field.
The documentary, released on Christmas Eve, paints a convincing picture of Finland’s approach. It focuses on key aspects such as the availability of affordable housing and comprehensive support services. Horvath’s narration brings to life interviews with formerly homeless people and experts from a variety of organizations dedicated to this cause, including the Y Foundation and the Salvation Army. The documentary also features insights from Jan Vapavoli, who played a central role in establishing the ‘Housing First’ model in Finland.
Global recognition of Finland’s achievements in solving important social problems is not only a testament to the country’s innovative policies, but also a beacon of hope and an example for other countries struggling with homelessness. There are also things that will happen. Horvath’s documentary is a powerful reminder of the potential for humane and sustainable solutions to societal challenges.
You can watch the entire documentary here.
HT