What Y-Säätiö does

Y-Säätiö is a Helsinki-based, Finnish-registered non-profit foundation (säätiö sr) founded in 1985 to provide affordable rental housing and to prevent and eliminate homelessness. It is Finland's fourth-largest landlord overall and the largest nationwide non-profit landlord, holding a portfolio of 19,134 rental apartments across nearly 60 municipalities — split between ~11,684 affordable M2-Kodit units (operated through wholly-owned subsidiary Kiinteistö Oy M2-Koteja) and ~7,450 Y-Kodit units reserved for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The foundation operates the Asunto ensin (Housing First) model, in which permanent housing is provided unconditionally alongside optional support services, and pairs this with housing counselling, support services, research, and training programs targeting Finland's national objective to eliminate long-term homelessness by 2027.

The foundation serves approximately 26,856 residents (cited as 27,850 in the H1/2025 half-year report), delivered through a 181-person staff (per its statistics page; nearly 200 housing professionals cited in the 2023 annual report) headquartered at a new 1,800 sqm office in Pasila, Helsinki. Its go-to-market is community-led: tenants apply directly through M2-Kodit and Y-Kodit portals, while the majority of Y-Kodit allocations are routed through partner NGOs, municipalities, and wellbeing services counties via the Y-Portaali platform. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring rental income from the housing stock at affordable (kohtuuhintainen/ARA-anchored) rates, supplemented by capital raised via social/sustainability-linked loans (e.g., a EUR 50 million secured facility from Swedbank in October 2025) and sustainability bond issuance (Y-Säätiö Sustainability Bond 2025), as well as grants from STEA and Varke for development projects.

Y-Säätiö extends its reach beyond Finland through the Nordic Homelessness Alliance (transitioning to an official association in 2026), EU Erasmus+ projects such as Adapting Housing First and Women's Voices, and knowledge-sharing engagements with the Royal Foundation's UK Homewards programme. The organization invests in operational technology — including a new Kenno ERP system deployed in 2025 and a redesigned OmaM2 resident service — but does not operate a proprietary technology platform and has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Recent strategic priorities include scaling construction (409 apartments under construction for M2-Kodit as of H1/2025), strengthening leadership (new CFO Janne Runsamo appointed May 2026), and institutionalizing international collaboration through the NHA.

Name

Y-Säätiö

Legal name

Y-Säätiö sr

Website

https://ysaatio.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Y-Säätiö is Finland's largest nationwide non-profit landlord and the fourth-largest landlord overall, operating 19,134 affordable and special-needs rental apartments across nearly 60 municipalities under the M2-Kodit and Y-Kodit brands via the Housing First model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Rental income: Y-Säätiö generates revenue primarily through renting out its housing stock. The foundation owns over 19,000 apartments across Finland, renting them to tenants through M2-Kodit (affordable housing, approximately 11,684 units) and Y-Kodit (special-needs housing, approximately 7,450 units). Rents are set at affordable/below-market rates consistent with the foundation's public-interest mission.
2. Social / sustainability-linked loan financing: Y-Säätiö secures large-scale social financing from financial institutions (e.g., Swedbank EUR 50M secured social loan facility) to finance or refinance social projects and affordable housing construction. These loans are distinct from operating revenue and are tied to social impact outcomes.
3. Sustainability Bond issuance: Y-Säätiö issues sustainability bonds (e.g., Y-Säätiö Sustainability Bond 2025) as a capital-raising mechanism, with the framework aligned to social and environmental objectives, attracting impact-oriented investors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Y-Säätiö is Finland's largest nationwide non-profit landlord, owning 19,134 rental apartments across nearly 60 municipalities. Through its M2-Kodit brand it offers ~11,684 affordable rental apartments to low-income individuals and families, and through its Y-Kodit brand it offers ~7,450 special-needs housing units for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, delivered via the Asunto ensin (Housing First) model. The foundation also provides housing counselling, support services, research and development programs, and responsible construction of new affordable housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• M2-Kodit: Affordable rental housing brand offering approximately 11,684 apartments across about 30 locations in Finland for the general population.
• Y-Kodit

Products and services

• M2-Kodit Affordable Rental Housing
• Y-Kodit Special-Needs Housing (Housing First)
• Housing Counselling (YK asumisneuvonta)
• New Affordable Housing Construction

Quantifiable outcome

• 19,134 apartments across Finland providing homes to ~27,000 people as of 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KrogerusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 October 2025Krogerus, a Finnish law firm, advised Swedbank as sole lender on Y-Säätiö's EUR 50 million secured social loan facility. This is a legal advisory role in the financing transaction rather than an ongoing operational partnership.
• Nordic Homelessness Alliance AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2023Established by Y-Säätiö in 2023 and transitioning to a formal association in 2026, Nordic Homelessness Alliance Association (NHA) brings together key homelessness actors from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. Members include municipalities, NGOs, universities, and government agencies. Y-Säätiö coordinates and leads the alliance. The association focuses on advocacy, research, training, and developing Housing First practices across the Nordics. Membership fee is EUR 100/year for full members; associate membership is free.
• Varke (Kansallinen asuntopolitiikan kehittämiskeskus)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarke (Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction, under the Ministry of Environment) is a key Finnish government partner providing funding for research and development projects. Varke co-funds the RADAR register research project and is a member of the Nordic Homelessness Alliance.
• University of Turku, Department of Social ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerY-Säätiö collaborates with the University of Turku's Department of Social Research on the RADAR (Register Data Analysis for Addressing Homelessness and Reducing it) project (2024–2026). The research evaluates Housing First cost-effectiveness and studies housing, service, and benefit pathways of homeless individuals in Turku. Funded by Varke and Länsi-Suomen Yleishyödyllinen Asuntosäätiö.
• Royal Foundation (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Royal Foundation (led by Prince William and Princess Catherine) launched a five-year homelessness programme 'Homewards' in the UK, with Finland's Housing First model serving as an inspiration and practical example. Y-Säätiö CEO Teija Ojankoski participated in the programme launch in London in May 2023, sharing Finnish expertise internationally.
• Salvation Army Finland (Suomen Pelastusarmeija)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army operates housing units in Finland and is a key operational partner in providing supported housing. Y-Säätiö and the Salvation Army collaborated on a pilot project where residents were supported in relocating from supported housing units to M2-Kodit rental apartments. The Salvation Army is also a founding member of the Nordic Homelessness Alliance Association.
• M2-Kodit (Kiinteistö Oy M2-Koteja)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiinteistö Oy M2-Koteja is a wholly owned subsidiary of Y-Säätiö that manages the majority of the foundation's affordable housing stock (~11,684 apartments). Y-Säätiö provides the strategic direction and M2-Kodit handles day-to-day rental operations, property management, and resident services. The brands share marketing, communications, and a joint strategy.
• Women's Voices project partners (BMSZKI, Kings College London, others)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerY-Säätiö participates in the EU Erasmus+ funded Women's Voices project (2024–2026) alongside BMSZKI (Hungary) and other international partners, focusing on improving services for women experiencing homelessness through visual and participatory methods.
• Adapting Housing First project partners (Sophia Housing Association Ireland, Housing First Berlin, Arrels Fundació Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EU Erasmus+ funded Adapting Housing First project (2023–2025) examined the implementation of Housing First in Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. Coordinated by Sophia Housing Association (Ireland), with Y-Säätiö as the Finnish partner, alongside Housing First Berlin and Arrels Fundació (Spain). The project produced comparative research, training guidelines, and policy recommendations for scaling Housing First across Europe.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• A-Kruunu: Finnish non-profit state-subsidised rental housing provider building and managing affordable rental apartments in growth centres. Directly comparable to Y-Säätiö's M2-Kodit arm: same mission, ARA-subsidy framework, and tenant profile of low-income households seeking affordable rental supply.
• Helsinki Student Housing Foundation (Hoas): Foundation-based non-profit housing provider in the Helsinki metropolitan area, supplying affordable rental apartments to a defined tenant group. Structurally analogous to Y-Säätiö as a Finnish säätiö operating subsidized rental housing at scale in the capital region.

Broad incumbents

• Heimstaden: Major Nordic and European residential property owner with large-scale rental portfolios across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and beyond. Comparable as a large institutional landlord in overlapping Nordic geographies, though operating as a for-profit investor rather than a non-profit foundation.
• Kojamo: Finland's largest private residential rental housing company and the owner of the VVO brand. Operates in the same urban Finnish rental market as Y-Säätiö/M2-Kodit, but as a publicly listed, market-rate landlord rather than a mission-driven non-profit.
• Stena Fastigheter: Large Swedish residential property company owning and managing tens of thousands of rental apartments, including social and affordable housing in the Stockholm region. Comparable as a Nordic scale residential landlord serving urban populations, but privately owned and market-rate focused.
• SATO Corporation: One of Finland's largest private residential rental housing companies with tens of thousands of apartments nationwide. Comparable as a large-scale Finnish landlord competing for the same urban rental demand, though operating as a for-profit listed entity rather than a non-profit foundation.
• Akelius Residential: European residential real estate company with a portfolio spanning Sweden, Germany, Canada, and other markets. Comparable as a large institutional apartment owner, though operates on a for-profit, market-rate basis rather than a non-profit social-mission model.

Regional players

• Fondation Abbé Pierre: Major French non-profit organization working on housing exclusion and homelessness, recognized for advocacy, research, and direct housing programs. Comparable to Y-Säätiö as a mission-driven European non-profit addressing homelessness and inadequate housing, though operating in a different national context.
• Stiftelsen Stockholmshem: Public-utility housing foundation owned by the City of Stockholm, managing a large portfolio of rental apartments in the Stockholm region. Closely comparable as a Nordic non-profit municipal foundation providing permanent rental housing, though focused on Stockholm rather than Finland.

Others

• ARA (Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland): Finnish government agency under the Ministry of Environment that administers state housing subsidies, grants, and development financing. Functions as Y-Säätiö's primary regulator and a major funding partner for affordable and supported housing in Finland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ysaatio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ysaatio
• Instagraminstagram.com/ysaatio
• Xx.com/ysaatio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Y-Säätiö