What We Can Learn From Countries That Have Solved Homelessness
In America, we talk about homelessness like it’s a force of nature—something inevitable, uncontrollable, a problem too big to solve. We throw billions at emergency shelters, punitive policies, and temporary fixes, all while homelessness continues to rise.
But what if we told you there are places where homelessness isn’t a crisis? Countries that have solved it—not by managing it, not by criminalizing it, but by designing systems that ensure housing is a right, not a privilege.
It’s time to stop asking if homelessness can be solved. It already has been. The real question is: why aren’t we learning from those who’ve done it?
Finland:
The Nation That Made Housing a Right
Finland is the only European country where homelessness is declining. And it’s not because of luck—it’s because of a radical commitment to Housing First.
Here’s how it works:
- They don’t wait for people to "fix their lives" before giving them housing. No job? Struggling with addiction? No problem. You get a home first, and then wraparound services help with employment, mental health, and substance recovery.
- They don’t do temporary band-aids. Finland replaced shelters with actual apartments. They didn’t just expand emergency housing; they restructured the entire system so that homelessness is rare and brief.
- They invest in people, not punishment. Instead of throwing money into law enforcement and emergency responses, Finland redirected funds into permanent housing and social services. The result? It actually costs them less in the long run.
And the data proves it: since adopting Housing First, homelessness in Finland has dropped by over 70%, and they are on track to reach functional zero.
Now imagine if the U.S. did the same. Imagine if we stopped treating housing as a reward for stability and started treating it as the foundation for stability.
Japan:
The Culture of Collective Responsibility
Japan has one of the lowest homelessness rates in the world. Not because of Housing First (though that would help), but because its entire system is designed to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. How though?
- Guaranteed emergency assistance: If you lose your job, the government immediately steps in with housing and financial support. They don’t let people spiral into homelessness—they catch them before they fall.
- Cultural accountability: In Japan, there’s a strong sense of collective responsibility. Companies are expected to support struggling employees, families step in before the government needs to, and society as a whole doesn’t treat homelessness as an individual failure, but a failure of the system.
- Public spaces designed for dignity: Unlike in many Western countries where hostile architecture pushes the homeless out of sight, Japan’s urban design ensures that public spaces are accessible, clean, and humane.
What can we learn? Prevention is easier than crisis management. Instead of waiting for people to become homeless, we need systems that ensure they never get there in the first place.
Denmark:
The Power of Social Safety Nets
Denmark, like Finland, has embraced Housing First. But what makes Denmark stand out is its comprehensive safety net that ensures homelessness is rare, not routine.
- Universal healthcare: No one in Denmark is forced into homelessness because of medical debt. In the U.S., one unexpected hospital bill can send someone onto the streets.
- Strong worker protections: Denmark has a robust unemployment system that prevents job loss from turning into homelessness. They ensure people stay housed even in times of crisis.
- Public housing that works: Nearly 20% of Danish homes are public housing, and they aren’t run-down, stigmatized projects—they are high-quality, well-integrated, and available to anyone.
Denmark doesn’t just help the homeless. They structure society so that homelessness is rare in the first place.
What’s Stopping the U.S. From Doing the Same?
The U.S. is the richest country in the world, yet we have over 650,000 people experiencing homelessness every night—and that number is growing. Why?
We treat housing as a commodity, not a human right.
We criminalize homelessness instead of solving it.
We prioritize emergency responses over long-term solutions.
The solutions exist. We’ve seen them work. The only thing standing in the way is the political will to make housing a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
The Road Forward: Lessons We Must Apply
- Housing First Works. Finland proved it. The U.S. needs to stop requiring people to be "worthy" of housing before providing it.
- Prevention is Easier Than Crisis Response. Japan’s safety nets stop homelessness before it starts. The U.S. must invest in preventative housing programs, not just shelters.
- A Strong Social Safety Net Saves Lives. Denmark ensures housing, healthcare, and employment protections so people don’t spiral into homelessness. We need the same protections here.
- We Must Treat Homelessness as a Systemic Issue, Not an Individual Failing. No one chooses to be homeless. The system creates the conditions for it to happen. The system can also fix it.
The question is no longer HOW to end homelessness. The question is: Will we demand the policies that make it happen?
The answers are already out there. The success stories exist. It’s time to stop making excuses.
Homelessness isn’t inevitable. It’s a policy choice. And we can choose differently.
What do you think? Which of these lessons do you believe the U.S. should adopt first?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’re ready to have the conversation.
