Support a Documentary on Finland's Housing First

Housing First is the best solution to solve homelessness, yet public and political support for Housing First decreases every day. As homelessness grows, politicians from both sides invest more in pushing homelessness out of sight than actually solving the crisis.

In 2008 you could see tent villages and huts standing between trees in the parks of Helsinki. Homeless people had built makeshift homes in the middle of Finland’s capital city. They were exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Today. Finland has all but eliminated homelessness by simply providing housing to all that need it, with no conditions. Finland went all-in on the Housing First model. Shelter operators such as the Salvation Army transitioned their congregant shelters into housing units.

The success of Finland's Housing First approach in eliminating homelessness has been remarkable and serves as a shining example for other countries to follow. By prioritizing the provision of stable housing without any preconditions, Finland has fundamentally changed the way homelessness is addressed. This approach recognizes that having a safe and secure place to live is a fundamental human right and a crucial foundation for individuals to address other challenges they may face.

BUT THE STORY HAS NOT BEEN TOLD CORRECTLY

Although there have been countless news articles posted on Finland's Housing First success, the story has not been told in a way to really show the impact of what happens when a country goes all-in on providing housing to everyone that needs it. We can change that by producing an Invisible Stories mini-doc on Finland's Housing First model.

SOCIAL IMPACT DOCUMENTARIES CREATE CHANGE

Social impact documentaries are important because they raise awareness, inspire action, and encourage positive social change. Through compelling storytelling, they engage viewers emotionally, challenge narratives, and mobilize communities. These documentaries have the power to educate, advocate, and foster collective responsibility for creating a better future.

WHO WE ARE

Invisible People is a nonprofit media publisher using innovative storytelling, original journalism, and educational content to change public perceptions of homelessness to influence policy change. We reach over 100 million people every year. Our YouTube channel and mini-documentary films have won national awards and have been seen by millions of people. No organization or campaign connects the public to homelessness to build empathy and affect change like Invisible People.

WE DO DOCS DIFFERENTLY

Aiming to reach a wider audience, particularly those who might not have the patience for lengthy documentaries, we have adopted a more accessible approach to producing films on homelessness. Unlike traditional documentary filmmaking, which is both expensive and time-consuming, our YouTube-based production enables us to significantly reduce costs and turnaround time. Typically, we are able to release a video within one to two months after shooting. Recognizing the sensitive nature of homelessness, our videos are designed to be around 15 minutes in length, striking a balance between capturing attention and maintaining emotional impact. Above all, our focus lies on the personal narratives of homeless and formerly homeless individuals. While we do include the perspective of experts involved in assisting the homeless population to lend credibility, it is the power of these personal stories that truly drives meaningful change.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

In the past, we have self-funded all of our video productions, but because of the economy, donations are down for a third year in a row. This production also involves international travel costs. We believe the total cost will be around $40,000, which is significantly less than the cost of other documentary productions. To help offset some of the costs, we need to raise $10,000 or more.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to show that an entire country has almost completely eliminated homelessness using the Housing First model. By helping us produce this mini-documentary, you'll be part of the solution to end homelessness. You may be only able to give $10, or maybe you can give more. Each and every donation matters. Out of all the important topics we have highlighted with our storytelling, this may be the most important one.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.