Two Helsinki hotels to be converted into refugee reception centres
Two hotels located in the centre of Helsinki are to be converted into refugee reception centres within a few months.
The Marttahotelli hotel on Uudenmaankatu is currently empty, and the Hotel Fenno in the Kallio district will be closed down as a hotel in two or three months.
Both buildings are in good condition, and the Social Services Department of the City of Helsinki feels that they would be very appropriate for use in the housing of asylum seekers. They would have space for 330 to 400 people.
Social Services Committee chairwoman Astrid Gartz (SDP) sees the centre of Helsinki as the best possible location from the point of view of the asylum seekers, who frequently have dealings with officials responsible for aliens’ affairs.
“They would spend about a month on average at the reception centre”, she says.
Helsinki’s City Board plans to decide soon on an agreement negotiated with the state on the establishment of new reception centres.
The Social Services Committee agreed in a 7-4 vote last week to give its approval to the plan.
Opposing the plan were representatives of the National Coalition Party and the Centre Party. They feel that locations in the city centre are not appropriate for such facilities.
Committee chairwoman Gartz says that so far she has received very little negative feedback on the project.
Both buildings are privately owned, and the city plans to lease them under a long-term contract.
The costs of the reception centre add up to about EUR 9.5 million, and are to have a combined staff of 36.
The city would deal with practical arrangements, while the state could cover the expenses.
The hotels could be ready for housing asylum seekers in two or three months, if the City Board makes its decision quickly, says leading expert Jarmo Räihä of the Social Services Department.
Numbers of asylum seekers vary sharply in different years, depending on the prevalence of wars and crises around the world.
The number grew sharply last year to 4,000 applicants, and the state has urged local authorities to set up new reception centres around the country.
Helsinki currently has two reception centres, with an official capacity of 279. However, there are many more who use the services, as many of the asylum seekers have found private accommodation.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 23.1.2009 - TODAY |
 Two Helsinki hotels to be converted into refugee reception centres |
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