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Cold Winter Harshest on Homeless

Helsinki's bitterly cold winter has been particularly difficult for the city’s homeless. Many of the needy have been forced to seek shelter to survive the freezing temperatures.

Asunnoton
Image: Yle

At the Hietaniemi shelter in Helsinki, an average of 111 people sought shelter each night in December. The number is somewhat higher than average.

Sanna Sunikka, director of the centre, says they have been able to accommodate everyone needing shelter.

The Hietaniemi shelter has beds for about 100 people. Additional mattresses can be laid out to sleep more. Sunikka says that fewer people asked for assistance when the weather warmed up.

She adds it is difficult to predict how many people will turn up on a cold night. Sunikka says that fortunately the shelter has not had to deal with any cases of frostbite.

Sources: YLE