The decrease in the number of asylum seekers reflects in the number of places at reception centres

The drop in the number of asylum seekers has been reflected in the number of places available at reception centres, starting from 2010. In 2011, 3,088 asylum seekers came to Finland, representing a drop of approximately one quarter over the previous year. During the first third of 2012, the number of people seeking asylum dropped by 14% compared to the same period of the previous year.

During the first third of 2012, the number of accommodation places available amounted to 3,169, as opposed to 3,669 in the previous year. In early 2010, the corresponding figure was 4,639.

At the end of April, a total of 3,924 asylum seekers, including 143 unaccompanied minors, had registered with reception services. A total of 2,839 of the applicants were staying at reception centres and in group homes for unaccompanied minors. A total of 1,085 individuals, more than 20 per cent of all asylum seekers, had private accommodation.

Accommodation capacity to be cut in 2012

Accommodation capacity at reception centres, group homes and supported housing units will be cut during the course of 2012. The number of places available will be adapted to match the number of asylum seekers.

The reception centres in Kontiolahti, Kontioniemi and Kyläsaari, Helsinki will be closed as of June 30, 2012. In total, the cuts will amount to 400 places, which figure includes the three discontinued centres as well as the temporary places organised as a result of the relocation of the Joutseno reception centre.

The group home and the supported housing unit in Kontiolahti will be closed by June 30, cutting the existing accommodation capacity by 26 places.

In early 2012, a monthly average of 400 persons with a residence permit awaited resettlement in municipalities

Asylum seekers should be able to move to his/her own place in a municipality as soon as possible after receiving a residence permit. Not enough resettlement opportunities have been available in municipalities, and an average of 400 persons per month, between January and April in 2012, continued to live at reception centres after receiving a residence permit. Regional Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment are responsible for the relocation to municipalities of refugees and asylum seekers who have obtained a residence permit.

During the first third of 2012, close to 300 persons found private accommodation independently after receiving a residence permit. In practical terms, this means that the reception centre has, together with the person that has obtained a residence permit, worked out a plan for looking for accommodation and moving in.

More detailed statistics available online

More detailed statistics on reception services between January and April 2012 can be found in Finnish on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service at www.migri.fi > Tilastot > Vastaanottotilastot.

Further information for the media:

Veikko Pyykkönen, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 (0)71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi