Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland explained

Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland
Native Name:	Asumisen rahoitus- ja kehittämiskeskus
Native Name Lang:	fi
Abbreviation:	ARA
Type:	Governmental
Purpose:	Implementation of government housing policy
Location City:	Lahti
Location Country:	Finland
Coordinates:	60.9876°N 25.6618°W
Staff:	100
Staff Year:	2023

The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (abbr. ARA,) is a Finish government agency within the jurisdiction of the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, responsible for implementing state housing policy.^{[1] [2]}

ARA's tasks include granting subsidies, support, and guarantees related to housing and construction. Additionally, ARA directs and supervises the use of ARA housing stock and is involved in projects related to housing development and expertise in the housing market. ARA collects, analyzes, and disseminates information about the housing market and maintains industry networking and information services.^[1]

History

In the late 1940s, after the Continuation War, the Arava system was established for financing housing construction. In 1966, Arava's tasks were transferred to the Finnish Housing Fund, and with its abolition in 1993 to the State Housing Fund.^[3]

ARA was established in its current form on January 1, 2008. As part of the latest agency reform, ARA transitioned from a state housing finance-oriented organization to a body supporting development activities and communication in the construction sector. In a decentralization program of the government, ARA was relocated from Helsinki's Pasila to Lahti on July 1, 2008, based on a decision made in 2005.

Tasks and Activities

ARA's tasks include:^[4]

• Developing sustainable, high-quality, and affordable housing;
• Improving housing conditions for low- and middle-income households and special groups;
• Directing and supervising the use of publicly beneficial housing communities and the ARA housing stock;^[5]
• Developing existing housing stock and residential environments;
• Promoting, utilizing, and disseminating development activities and research related to housing conditions;
• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating housing market information;
• Maintaining the energy performance certificate register (register of qualified energy performance certificate issuers);^{[6] [7]}
• Granting renovation subsidies.^[8]

Organisation

ARA is led by Director General Hannu Rossilahti. The agency employs about 100 staff. The activities of the agency are guided by a board appointed by the Council of State.^[9]

See also

• Ministry of the Environment (Finland)
• Homelessness in Finland

External links

• ARA Official Website
• Housing. Ministry of the Environment.
• Law on the Housing Finance and Development Centre 2.2.2007/71. Finlex.
• Vuokrataso Helsingin ARA-asuntokannassa. VATT Studies (PDF).
• Affordable rental housing - who is entitled to it?. Journal of the Finnish Economic Association (PDF).

Notes and References

1. Web site: ARA toimeenpanee valtion asuntopolitiikkaa . ARA . 31 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325081709/http://www.ara.fi/fi-fi/ARAn_esittely . 25 March 2016.
2. Web site: ARA - Housing Finance & Development Centre of Finland . 2024-02-28 . Housing2030 . en-US.
3. Web site: Hyvää asumista ajan haasteet huomioiden . ARA . 31 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160401023015/http://www.ara.fi/fi-FI/ARAn_esittely/Tarina . 1 April 2016 .
4. Web site: ARAn tehtävät . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107052953/http://www.ara.fi/fi-FI/ARAn_esittely/Tehtavat . 2016-11-07 . 2017-04-19 . www.ara.fi . fi.
5. Web site: ARA ohjaa ja valvoo . www.ara.fi . 2017-04-19 . fi . https://web.archive.org/web/20170502232042/http://www.ara.fi/fi-FI/Ohjaus_ja_valvonta . 2017-05-02 .
6. Web site: Energiatodistusrekisteri . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143358/https://www.energiatodistusrekisteri.fi/public_html?command=browse&lang=fi . 2017-04-20 . 2017-04-19 . www.energiatodistusrekisteri.fi . fi.
7. Web site: Rakennusten energiatodistus . 2024-02-28 . www.ara.fi . fi.
8. Web site: Korjausavustukset . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420234529/http://www.ara.fi/fi-FI/Rahoitus/Avustukset/Korjausavustukset . 2017-04-20 . 2017-04-19 . www.ara.fi . fi.
9. Web site: ARAn organisaatio . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045913/http://www.ara.fi/fi-FI/ARAn_esittely/Organisaatio . 2017-04-20 . 2017-04-19 . www.ara.fi . fi.