Tampere resident Anniina Pääkkönen has had an active housing application with the city for an accessible apartment throughout the year, following updated guidelines from Kela, Finland's social insurance agency. But so far, no suitable unit has become available.
A year ago, a legal reform changed the housing costs eligible for basic social assistance. A municipality-specific limit was set on housing expenses, and Kela cannot approve expenses above this limit without special justification. Residents must either cover the extra costs themselves or relocate.
This policy could also apply to people with disabilities.
When Pääkkönen was unable to find a sufficiently affordable and accessible home by April, Kela suggested she also turn to private landlords.
Living in uncertainty
Pääkkönen hoped to move into a single-story rowhouse with a small yard, where she could step outside for fresh air since outdoor activity is sometimes impossible due to her health conditions.
"My doctors' statements support the need for a private yard," she said. Pääkkönen said the idea was to be able to remain in the same apartment on her own even after her teenage child had left home.
Finding a home on the private rental market can be tricky, as the lease can be terminated quickly, for instance, if the owner wants to sell the place.
Pääkkönen finds living in uncertainty mentally exhausting. Any new apartment would need to be close to her current home, as access to familiar healthcare and nearby family is vital for her well-being.
"In general, a good network of services and support is so important to us with disabilities that few of us can leave our homes for the sake of saving euros," Pääkkönen said.
Pääkkönen said she knows several people in her circle who feel they are falling through the cracks as Kela pushes them to move out of their homes. For example, medical certificates outlining special housing needs often seem to be ignored.
Special grounds
Kela's benefit manager, Marja-Leena Valkonen, said that when a client's housing costs exceed the upper limit, the agency first assesses whether the client has specific reasons justifying higher-than-average housing expenses.
One special reason, specified in the Act on Social Assistance, is the need for extra space due to a client's or their family member's disability or special care needs.
For instance, if a client uses a wheelchair, housing costs can be calculated as if there is an extra person in the household due to the extra space needed for mobility aids, according to Valkonen.
In Pääkkönen's case, the situation is more complex: she only needs a wheelchair for moving outdoors and, for now, manages indoors with a walker. For her, it would be sufficient if disability services installed a ramp and a remote-controlled door opener.
According to Kela, disability-related services and home modifications made as support measures are also considered special grounds for fully covering housing expenses.
More accessible housing
According to Petteri Pitkänen, a legal advisor at the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities, the organisation receives weekly inquiries related to accessible housing and modifications that make living easier.
Accessibility renovations need housing company approval, but Pitkänen said they are often reluctant to accommodate changes, even when the need is disability-related.
According to Pitkänen, public entities and municipal rental housing companies do not have a sufficient supply of accessible housing. Also, such apartments are not necessarily reserved specifically for people with disabilities.
"This can lead to situations where someone in urgent need of housing for another reason ends up receiving an accessible apartment," he said.
The Ministry of the Environment has set a goal of one million accessible homes in Finland by 2030.
"According to the Ministry's calculations last year, there were only 400,000 accessible homes — so we're clearly behind," Pitkänen said.
He also warns that any savings achieved by relocating people from their current homes could be wiped out by the significantly higher costs that may arise elsewhere as a result.
