Helsingin kaupungin asunnot Oy (Heka) has managed to limit the rise in housing costs and balance the significant increase in rents. However, variations in economic trends and Heka's limited ability to influence the City's new housing production, ground rents, energy prices and the tenant selection process make it difficult to mitigate rising housing costs.
Between 2024 and 2025, Heka has had between 1,300 and 1,500 apartments without tenants each month, incurring considerable costs. Vacancy rates have been increased by the abundant supply of rental housing on the open market. Furthermore, the large apartments owned by Heka are too expensive for some housing applicants, as the criteria for social assistance and housing allowance have become stricter in 2024–2025 and rents have increased.
The Audit Committee recommends closer cooperation between Heka and the Urban Environment Division in the area of tenant selection in order to increase occupancy rates.
Extension of compulsory education improved access to upper secondary education
The City of Helsinki has promoted the guidance of young people subject to compulsory education, commitment to upper secondary education and the effectiveness of upper secondary education. There are enough study places for young people in Helsinki to study in their home city after comprehensive education, and the majority of young people subject to compulsory education continue their studies in upper secondary education. However, there are differences in upper secondary education participation between native and foreign-language speakers, with foreign-language speakers making a slower transition from comprehensive to upper secondary education on average than native speakers.
The Audit Committee recommends strengthening guidance and support for young people of compulsory education age whose participation in education is below average.
The Finnish model for leisure activities offers activities to all children and young people
Children and young people's leisure and recreational activities have been promoted in line with the City of Helsinki's objectives. The number of activity sessions organised under the Finnish model for leisure activities has almost doubled between 2021 and 2025. The vast majority of 1st graders and an increasing number of 2nd graders participate in after-school activities. However, the City’s services have not reached all families, despite communication and service guidance.
The Audit Committee recommends strengthening service guidance aimed at directing low-activity schoolchildren into activities and continuing measures to increase participation in after-school activities.
Helsinki protects the Baltic Sea with voluntary Baltic Sea Challenge measures
The Baltic Sea Challenge is a programme launched by the cities of Helsinki and Turku in 2007 in which a network of different organisations works to protect the Baltic Sea. The current, fourth action period of the Baltic Sea Challenge will run from 2024 to 2028. The evaluation found that the measures of the programme have largely progressed as planned. However, progress in coordinating overall water management and reducing stormwater pollution has been slow.
The Audit Committee recommends that clear responsibilities be assigned for the development of overall water management coordination.
There are several ways to access health services
Use of the client and patient information system Apotti’s client portal Maisa has increased, but not all messages are responded to within the target time. The online treatment needs assessment service Omaolo has seen an increase in the number of symptom assessments and users, and almost all symptom assessments have been processed within the target times. Instead of using digital services, city residents can also contact health services by phone or by visiting them on site. However, multi-channel communication involves problems with routing messages, which can overburden health care professionals and slow down clients’ access to services.
The Audit Committee recommends making sure that health care professionals know which digital channel or other means of communication to use with clients in each case.
Assessment report for Council consideration on 17 June
The Audit Committee is an institution under the City Council, the duty of which is to assess to what extent the objectives set by the City Council have been met. The above and other topics covered in the Audit Committee‘s 2025 assessment report can be explored on the website arviointikertomus.fi/en/(Link leads to external service).
The City Council will process the assessment report at its meeting on 17 June 2026. The statements of the City Board and the division committees on the findings of the assessment report and the auditor's report will be discussed at the same meeting.