No Fixed Abode NGO (VVA ry) is one of our regular recipients of support. We have supported VVA with clothing donations suitable for the needs of homeless people in Helsinki as mapped by VVA. Through VVA, clothes and shoes have been delivered directly to homeless people living in Finland.

What is VVA?

No Fixed Abode NGO is a religiously and politically unaffiliated civil organisation founded in 1986 by homeless people themselves. VVA lobbies for homeless people in different forums, maintains public discussion about homelessness and defends everyone’s right to a home and to decent living, and tries to improve the living conditions of homeless people directly on their personal level. VVA considers the right to home a fundamental human right, “that cannot be violated in any circumstances”. The association says that the aim of all of its activities is to provide a humane home for everyone in sensible time.

With its NGO work, VVA aims to further secure the rights of homeless people, increase their participation and decrease homelessness. The annual main event of the organization is “The Night of the Homeless” that is organized on the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17th of October, in co-operation with other organizations and associations in the healthcare and social sectors. The Night of the Homeless is a reminder that home is a fundamental right, and demands for decision-makers to act for the eradication of homelessness. The assocation’s magazine Asukki, published since 1987, comes out three times a year.

With its low threshold services, VVA aims to reach out to homeless people, direct them to services, provide support in overcoming difficult life situations, prevent medical complications and support sobriety. VVA operates two housing units for ex-homeless people: Sällikoti, which is one of the first housing services in Finland to operate by the “housing first” principle, and the Junalijankuja housing unit.

With its Kokema works, VVA aims to strengthen the role of experts by experience in the planning, development and implementation of services for homeless.

Additionally VVA is part of the NEA-project, coordinated by Y-fund, and NUOLI-project (24/7 help unit for young people in difficult life situations, with substance or mental health problems, or potentially living in the street), coordinated by Sininauhasäätiö.

On the international level, VVA is part of umbrella organization FEANTSA (The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless), and the network of homeless and ex-homeless people HoPE (Homeless People).