The Ruusulankatu housing service unit in the Töölö area of Helsinki provides supported housing for Helsinki residents who have experienced prolonged or recurrent homelessness and substance abuse and mental health problems.
The 90-bed Ruusulankatu housing service unit operates on the Housing First principle, whereby housing is the fundamental right of every person and is not something that has to be earned, for example by being substance-free. The idea is to secure housing first and to then address other challenges in the resident’s life together with them.
At Ruusulankatu, residents are supported in their housing success by a multi-professional team of housing advisors, service advisors, night supervisors, work coaches, a nurse and an occupational therapist. Each resident has a designated caseworker, and staff are available around the clock.
Our residents are important to us and we care about their wellbeing. We also actively work to advance tolerance and diversity. We believe that everyone has the right to a dignified life and equal treatment. We respect the dignity of the human as an individual and as a member of society.
We discuss with each person who moves in with us how to take into account the environment around their home. We actively work to ensure that everyone living in a Blue Ribbon home is accepted as part of the neighbourhood. As part of our neighbourhood work, we engage in an ongoing dialogue with our residents, the neighbourhood, and the businesses, institutions and authorities that operate there. We also implement community rounds in the area around the unit. We also implement community rounds in the area around the unit.
We offer our residents the opportunity for an active daily life. Ruusulankatu’s weekly programme includes a variety of guided groups, such as an occupational therapist’s food group, a volunteer-organised excursion group and weekly community meetings.
On a daily basis, our residents have the opportunity to participate in work activities for which a small monetary incentive can be paid. Tasks range from cleaning up the neighbourhood to tending the garden and sorting donated clothes.
We also offer opportunities for training in peer activities where customers can learn new skills: cook together, get first-aid training or even gain work try-outs.
Sininauha Oy’s substitution therapy unit operates in the same premises.
To receive housing, first contact the City of Helsinki’s Health and Social Services’ Housing Support unit . We do not make the resident selection ourselves; rather, we house new residents from the waiting list based on Housing Support’s placement decision. Tenancy agreements are made with residents in accordance with the Act on Residential Leases.
Address
Ruusulankatu 10, Helsinki
