1. Design Capital of the World: In 2012, Helsinki was designated as the World Design Capital, showcasing its commitment to design and innovation. The city is known for its unique architectural styles, blending modern design with historical influences. 2. Sauna Culture: Helsinki has a rich sauna culture, with over 3,000 public and private saunas. The sauna is an essential part of Finnish life, serving as a place for relaxation and socialization. The Löyly sauna, located by the sea, is particularly famous for its modern design and stunning views. 3. Green City: Helsinki is recognized as one of the greenest cities in the world. The city has dedicated over 10% of its area to parks and recreational spaces, including the expansive Central Park, which stretches over 10 kilometers and offers a variety of outdoor activities.
Housing Market Overview
In Helsinki, housing prices vary significantly depending on location and type of property. As of 2024, the average price for apartments ranges from approximately €3,300 to €10,000 per square meter, with the highest prices in the city center and downtown areas[1][4]. Rental prices in Helsinki average around €21.6 per square meter for non-subsidized apartments[4].
The housing market in Helsinki is characterized by a higher proportion of rental properties compared to owner-occupied homes. Approximately 48% of dwellings in Helsinki are rental apartments, while 41% are owner-occupied. The remaining 11% consists of other forms of housing, including right-of-occupancy dwellings[3].
Public and Social Housing
Helsinki has a strong tradition of public and social housing, which plays a significant role in the city's housing market. The main provider of social housing in Helsinki is Helsingin kaupungin asunnot Oy (Heka), which is owned by the City of Helsinki[5]. Heka manages a large portfolio of affordable rental apartments, though the exact number is not provided in the search results.
The Finnish system for affordable social housing supports social mixing and has been instrumental in reducing homelessness. The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) oversees the social housing sector, ensuring high-quality apartments and fair allocation based on need, wealth, and income criteria[5].
Cooperative Housing
Cooperative housing is a growing sector in Helsinki's housing market, though it currently plays a limited role compared to other Nordic countries. There are approximately 50 housing cooperative projects operating in Finland, with some located in Helsinki[6]. The city is actively promoting and supporting the development of new cooperative housing models.
City Policies and Initiatives
Helsinki has implemented several policies and initiatives to promote affordable and sustainable housing:
- Social Mixing: The city aims to ensure that 25-35% of new homes are affordable social housing apartments[5]. This policy helps prevent segregation and promotes diverse neighborhoods.
- Housing First Policy: Implemented nationally but with significant impact in Helsinki, this policy has successfully reduced long-term homelessness by 68% between 2008 and 2022[8].
- Balanced Housing Production: Helsinki strives for a mix of different housing types and tenure forms in new developments. The city's current target is to have 7,000 new dwellings completed in 2023 and just under 6,000 in 2024[9].
- Affordable Homeownership: Helsinki is developing new models to ensure affordable homeownership opportunities, moving away from the previous Hitas system[7].
- Promoting Cooperative Housing: The city is actively supporting the development of cooperative housing models. This includes:
- Allocating land for cooperative housing projects in new development areas like Jätkäsaari and Kalasatama[6].
- Participating in a state-subsidized 'social' housing cooperative pilot project[6].
- Negotiating with various cooperative housing initiatives for land allocation and development rights[6].
- Sustainable Development: Helsinki is investing in sustainable urban development, with €4 billion allocated for developing the city's urban structure over the next ten years[9].
- Investment in Housing: The city has planned a record high investment of €1 billion in 2024, with a significant portion dedicated to housing-related infrastructure and services[9].
Helsinki's approach to housing policy emphasizes social mixing, affordability, and sustainability. The city actively uses land allocation, urban planning, and partnerships with various housing providers to achieve its goals. While facing challenges such as rising construction costs and changing market conditions, Helsinki continues to innovate in its housing policies, particularly in promoting new models like cooperative housing.
Citations: [1] https://www.properstar.com/finland/helsinki-l2/house-price [2] https://asunnollehinta.fi/vuokrataulukko_helsinki [3] https://kaupunkitieto.hel.fi/fi/asuminen/asuntokanta/asuntojen-hallintaperuste [4] https://www.finlandprices.com/housing-prices-finland/ [5] https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/news/finnish-system-for-affordable-social-housing-supports-social-mixing-and-brings-down-homelessness [6] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19491247.2023.2235766 [7] https://www.hel.fi/static/kanslia/Julkaisut/2022/asuntopoliittinen_historiikki.pdf [8] https://www.sdg16.plus/policies/housing-first-policy-finland/ [9] https://www.hel.fi/en/news/negotiations-begin-on-city-of-helsinkis-2024-budget-proposal