The Finnish authorities have decided to almost halve the network of migrant reception centers due to a significant decrease in the number of their inhabitants. Eight centers or group homes have already closed this year, with another eight scheduled to close by the end of February. The changes also apply to Ukrainians who are in the country under temporary protection.. This is reported by the Finnish Immigration Service.
It is noted that in June there were 30 departments for adults and 13 for minors in Finland. The reception center in Kuopio, run by Kotokunta, is scheduled to close in November. At the same time, apartments provided to clients of the reception system will remain in the city.
Iraqi refugees in Finland are already in trouble and want to go home - Yle.
Director of Migri Migrant Reception Elina Nurmi explained that the number of asylum seekers has decreased. At the same time, the number of people arriving in Finland from Ukraine due to the war is not growing, and some of the residents of the centers come under the jurisdiction of municipalities.
Following the change in regulations, the services of reception centers for asylum seekers will cease three months after receiving a residence permit and being able to register with the municipality.
Residents of closing centers will be transferred to vacant places in other institutions, unless they move to municipality or private housing.
Clients can also rent private housing on their own. In this case, assistance is provided for accommodation in the amount of 300 euros, but rental and accommodation costs are not reimbursed.
As of March this year, a total of about 90,000 Ukrainians who received temporary asylum arrived in Finland. Of these, approximately 50 thousand are still in the country. The main reasons why Ukrainians leave for other countries are difficulties with employment and language proficiency.