Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (HOAS) was established in 1969 to help relieve the shortage of student housing within the Helsinki metropolitan area. HOAS student accommodation can be applied for by anyone undertaking full-time studies in a secondary level educational institution or university. Part of HOAS’s accommodation is reserved for international exchange students and researchers. At summertime HOAS rents rooms and apartments also for non-students. For post-graduate students HOAS is able to offer accommodation only rarely.

HOAS works in co-operation with the student unions of the University of Helsinki, Helsinki University of Technology and Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration, as well as 13 other local student unions.

HOAS manages the rental and related administrative tasks during tenancy. HOAS rents out 8000 dwellings to 16,000 tenants. HOAS also provides separately administered dwellings and guest rooms for international exchange students and researchers. Furnished guest rooms are rented for a week or longer periods.

Approximately 10 000 new tenancy agreements are made every year. The utilisation rate of dwellings is high: 98.7 % in 2008. HOAS also maintains and renovates its properties and apartments on a regular basis.

Development

HOAS constantly increases the number of its apartments by acquiring old properties and building new ones. The latest projects include apartments in Kumpula, Helsinki. Future project include new estate in Viikki, Helsinki.