More reception centre residents look for accommodation themselves, due to lack of municipal residences

In 2012, approximately 4,000 asylum seekers, including 120 unaccompanied minors, had registered with reception services. A total of 2,900 of these applicants were staying at reception centres and in group homes for unaccompanied minors. Around 1,100 individuals, more than 20 per cent of all asylum seekers, had private accommodation.

In 2012, a monthly average of 400 persons with a residence permit, living at reception centres, awaited resettlement in municipalities. The number doubled from the previous year, when a monthly average of 200 persons 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. However, not enough resettlement opportunities have been available in municipalities. Regional Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment are responsible for the relocation to municipalities of those refugees and asylum seekers who have obtained a residence permit. The Finnish Immigration Service supports Regional Centres in arranging resettlement opportunities.

Due to a shortage of municipal residences, persons who have been granted a residence permit have been encouraged to look for accommodation themselves. In 2012, close to 1,300 persons found private accommodation independently, after receiving a residence permit (around 1,100 in 2011).

Number of places available at reception centres was further reduced

In 2012, the number of asylum seekers remained almost the same compared to the previous year (2012: 3,129, 2011: 3,086). Compared to earlier years, the number of applicants has dropped, which is reflected in the reduction of places available at reception centres.

The number of places available has been adapted to match the number of asylum seekers. At the beginning of 2012, the number of accommodation places available amounted to 3,169, as opposed to 3,057 at the year end. During 2012, the number of places intended for minors was reduced from 233 to 166.

At the end of June 2012, the reception centres in Kontiolahti, Kontioniemi and Kyläsaari, Helsinki were closed. Moreover, the group home and supported housing unit in Kontiolahti was closed on 30 June 2012.

More detailed statistics available online

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

In Finland, helping the victims of human trafficking is the responsibility of the reception centre in Joutseno. A separate statistical review on the matter is available on the above-mentioned website.

Further information for the media:

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