Strategy
Vision
Sevas Kodit Oy is the city’s leading and most versatile and reliable rental housing provider.
Mission
As a city-owned company, Sevas Kodit Oy operates as a secure landlord and provides, on a cost-recovery basis, attractively priced rental apartments with a good price–quality ratio for city residents in need of housing.
Values
Versatile communication and various channels of influence support people in participating and having an impact in their own community. We aim to achieve the highest possible level of resident satisfaction.
Openness
We communicate openly and actively with residents and stakeholders.
Safety
We ensure that our residents can continue living safely by carefully selecting members of the housing community and actively maintaining the comfort of our residential areas.
Fairness
We treat residents and housing applicants fairly and equally, and we encourage everyone to live responsibly.
Economy and quality
Sevas homes remain attractive in terms of price and quality throughout their entire life cycle.
Where we come from?
Seinäjoki has experienced an exceptionally long period of continuous population growth. In the 2000s, the city’s population increased strongly. At the same time, a significant number of new apartment buildings have been constructed in the Seinäjoki city area, especially in the city centre. In the 2010s, the private market produced a considerable number of small apartments in the centre, resulting in strong competition in the rental housing market.
Sevas has systematically developed its operations and property and housing portfolio. In the 2010s, and especially in recent years, the company has sold and demolished properties with low occupancy and demand, which would have required significant renovation investments in the coming years. The property portfolio has also been actively developed, for example by converting student shared apartments into studios and one-bedroom apartments. Maintenance and renovation activities supporting the properties have been carried out systematically.
Where are we now?
The peak phase of construction in Seinäjoki has slowed down due to inflation, interest rate developments, and the overall economic cycle. At the same time, demand for rental housing has increased significantly due to changes in housing preferences, growth in the number of households and smaller household sizes, and especially increased work- and study-related immigration. The slowdown in housing construction may even lead to a housing shortage, which, if realized, could hinder the city’s growth in the coming years.
The occupancy rate of Sevas’ apartments is very high – there is even an acute shortage of student housing. The company has agreed on the launch of new developments together with the city and private landowners, which will bring approximately 150 new apartments to the market in the coming years. Sevas residents are satisfied with their homes and with Sevas’ services as a whole.
Where are we going?
Concentrated development continues at all regional levels. In South Ostrobothnia, both population and services are increasingly concentrating in Seinäjoki. The city’s growth is expected to remain strong for at least the next 10–15 years. Increased immigration over the past two years has compensated for the negative natural population development and may even accelerate the city’s growth, provided that net migration remains at the level of recent years. At the same time, the population is ageing, the number of households is increasing, and household sizes are decreasing. Together with the growing number of students, these factors increase the need for housing production near the centre of Seinäjoki.
In the current downturn in the construction sector, Sevas’ role in Seinäjoki’s housing production is emphasized. In the longer term, Sevas’ role in the city’s housing policy and in supporting growth will become even more central. Resident satisfaction, the cleanliness of properties, maintenance and upkeep, as well as the systematic development of the property and housing portfolio and a stable financial position are the cornerstones of its operations.
Strategic objectives for 2024–2027
- Sevas offers attractive housing options for different resident groups
- The economy is balanced and the company meets its obligations
- Sevas’ staff are skilled, committed, and motivated
- The housing and property portfolio is actively maintained and developed with a future-oriented approach