Housing allowance
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general planning, guidance and supervision of the housing allowance legislation. The Ministry of Education and Culture in turn is responsible for the housing supplement for students. Applications for housing allowance must be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).
The State uses housing allowance to help low-income households with their housing costs.
The general housing allowance scheme was reformed at the beginning of 2015. The grounds for granting housing allowance are laid down by law.
The maximum level of housing costs which can be taken into account varies regionally and depends on the size of the household. An income-dependent deductible is determined using a particular formula. The amount of the deductible also depends on the number of adults and children in the household.
Support for housing costs
Housing allowance can be granted for the costs of a permanent residence located in Finland, whether
- rental housing
- right-of-occupancy housing or
- part-ownership housing.
Forms of housing allowance include
- general housing allowance
- housing allowance for pensioners
- housing supplement for students and
- housing assistance for conscripts (during their service).
Housing allowance can be paid to families, couples, people living alone and people in shared accommodation
The general housing allowance is intended for households. A household means people who live in the same home.
General housing allowance can be granted to
- families with children
- married couples
- cohabiting couples
- people living alone or
- people living in shared accommodation.
Married and cohabiting couples always belong to the same household. Married and cohabiting couples can be same-sex couples.
Pensioners can receive assistance from the housing allowance scheme for pensioners.
Housing assistance for conscripts during service can be paid to those in military or non-military service and women in voluntary military service as well as their family members.
- Housing assistance for conscripts (Kela)
Kela processes applications for housing allowance
Kela pays all housing allowances so applications should be submitted to Kela.
How to appeal against decisions on housing allowance and housing supplement
A decision will always include instructions for appealing. If you are dissatisfied with a decision on housing allowance or housing supplement, you can appeal against it to the Social Security Appeal Board.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health does not process requests for review, objections or appeals.
Further information
Mikko Horko, Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Department for Insurance and Social Security / SVO, Benefits Unit / ETU Telephone:0295163344 Email Address: [email protected]