In accordance with the Constitution Act of Finland, it is the duty of public authorities to promote everyone's right to housing, and to support attempts by individuals to find housing on their own initiative. National housing policy aims to further socially sustainable development and progress towards greater social equality, while also promoting environmentally sustainable development.
Local authorities are responsible for improving housing standards within their own areas.
Housing administration comes under the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry is also responsible for improving the quality of housing construction as part of general building guidance, and for improving the quality of the housing environment. The off-budget Housing Fund of Finland finances and administers all State subsidies for housing, except housing allowances. The Fund's essential functions include guidance on quality and control of building costs in State-subsidised projects, both new build and renovation. The municipalities have a key role in the housing sector.