ABOUT NAL
The Finnish Youth Housing Association NAL, established in 1971, defends young people’s interests in housing matters.
Who we are
The Finnish Youth Housing Association (NAL) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring the provision of affordable housing for young people aged 18-30 in Finland. Prior to the recent changes in the government budget the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) supported NAL with funds from Veikkaus games. NAL is made up of NAL Housing (NAL Asunnot Oy), NAL Services (NAL Palvelut Oy), six national member organisations and 20 local organisations.
NAL's vision is that every young person has a home where they feel good. Our values are based on cooperation, expertise, and courage.
National Member Organisations
Local Associations
NAL is joined by six national member associations
Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
The Finnish Central Association for Mental Health
Youth of the National Coalition Party
The Social Democratic Youth
The Finnish Centre Youth
The Left Youth
NAL has 20 local associations across Finland.
If you want to know about free apartments in your city or town, contact your nearest association. You may also apply for apartments at your local NAL office.
The contact information for our local associations can be found here.
Advocacy
NAL advocates on behalf of young people to ensure their continued access to adequate and affordable housing
Housing
NAL owns youth housing across Finland, and rents out homes through our daughter organisation, NAL Asunnot Oy
Services
NAL Services provides a range of services to young people from assisted living to everyday advice
WHAT WE DO
NAL is an expert in youth living and a supervisor of youth interests in housing-related matters. NAL tries to influence decision-makers to construct more affordable youth housing and provide young people with the support they need in running a home. In addition, NAL owns and rents out apartments to people under 30 through NAL Asunnot, and helps youths with housing related matters and the challenges of everyday life through NAL Palvelut.
Homes for young people
We offer comfortable, safe, and affordable housing for young adults under the age of 30. We build homes to rent in areas with high demand — Finland's bigger cities and growth centers. NAL Asunnot Oy along with some of our partnered local youth housing associations, construct and rent these apartments.
In designing the apartments, we ensure they meet the size, location, and equipment needs of young people. The majority of our apartments are studios or one-bedroom units, and they are located near good public transport links. There are also some larger apartments suitable for families and shared living.
We encourage our residents to be active and influence their living conditions and surroundings. NAL buildings have resident committees, elected annually at residents' meetings. These committees can organize activities or make purchases for resident activities within the allocated budget. Local youth housing associations and housing counselors play a crucial role in supporting resident activities. The associations organize various resident evenings and events. The board of NAL Asunnot Oy also includes resident representation.
You can apply for a NAL home by filling out a housing application. For questions related to the housing application, please contact NAL Asunnot or the local association in the area where you are applying for an apartment.
A PATHWAY TO INDEPENDENCE
We provide our residents with information, advice, and opportunities for participation, as well as individual support for independent living if needed. Residents are interviewed and oriented during the housing application process.
Housing counseling is individual guidance on housing-related matters. The supported housing service is a comprehensive support service for young people’s independence and securing independent living.
For more information about housing services, contact the local NAL associations. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, supported housing services are provided by NAL Palvelut Oy.
We also publish an annual guide called A Home of Your Own, aimed at young people aged 15-25 who are becoming independent and moving into their own homes.
OUR STRATEGY 2021-2023
VISIBILY AND RESOUNDINGLY
We aim to be a visible advocate for young people's housing issues, one that decision-makers listen to. The visibility of the Finnish Youth Housing Association will be increased by clearly communicating chosen themes. Advocacy work will be systematic, and resources for advocacy will be improved. Information gathered within the community about young people and their housing will be harnessed for the use of the entire community.
AS ONE TEAM
We aim to function as a more cohesive and effective team in youth housing. We will utilize, develop, and expand expertise within the youth housing sector. We will create shared resources for service providers and administrations to better facilitate association work. We will unify practices throughout the NAL community.
Our vision is that every young person has a home where they feel good. Our activities are guided by the values of cooperation, expertise, and courage.
The strategy of the Finnish Youth Housing Association defines NAL leadership and the work of the association's office. Our vision is shared by the larger NAL community. The core mission, values, and strategic goals guide the work undertaken by NAL.