Hoas is an example of what the student community can do together. It all began when 16 student organisations in the Helsinki area put their heads together, gathered a small amount of capital and took out a hefty bank loan. Those were the humble beginnings of the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region, which has worked since 1969 to provide affordable rental housing for students. In a little over 45 years, that small amount of start-up capital has turned into a business with a turnover of 70 million euro and 9 400 student apartments.