Alkmaar says no to refugee reception centre, coalition collapses

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Refugees were allocated 6% of social housing in 2021

Despite claims that refugees with residency permits are being given priority in social housing, they accounted for just 6% of new rent-controlled housing corporation tenants in 2021, according to research by national statistics agency CBS. That year, 169,000 housing corporation homes became available for new tenants and just under 10,000 were allocated to refugee families, the CBS said. In Alkmaar, …

Refugee Housing Corporation Tenants Housing Corporation Corporation Tenants

1 year, 1 month ago

Pressure on asylum reception remains high in 2024, additional places needed

NL Times

The reception of asylum seekers will remain under pressure in 2024, as there will be a high influx and too little outflow of status holders to regular housing. As a result, several tens of thousands of additional shelter places may be needed next year, according to the six-monthly Multi-Year Production Forecast that outgoing State Secretary Christophe van der Maat has …

Places Asylum Der Reception Seekers Maat Van Der Maat

1 year, 3 months ago

More young refugees arrive in Ter Apel, housing crisis continues

Dutch News

The number of young asylum seekers without parents at the Ter Apel registration centre in Groningen topped 350 earlier this week, almost seven times the number the location is equipped to deal with, settlement agency COA said. In total, 1,852 unaccompanied minors registered at Ter Apel in the first six months of this year, some 700 more than in the …

Ter Coa Ter Apel

1 year, 3 months ago

More young refugees arrive in Ter Apel, housing crisis continues

Dutch News

The number of young asylum seekers without parents at the Ter Apel registration centre in Groningen topped 350 earlier this week, almost seven times the number the location is equipped to deal with, settlement agency COA said. In total, 1,852 unaccompanied minors registered at Ter Apel in the first six months of this year, some 700 more than in the …

Ter Coa Ter Apel

1 year, 11 months ago

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC

Dutch News

The Netherlands faces ‘social disruption’ if there is no speedy solution to the shortage of housing for refugees, the NRC reported on Friday, quoting internal documents from settlement agency COA, the IND immigration service and justice ministry. The documents make it clear there is ‘no end in sight’ and that the agencies fear a couple of thousand refugees could end …

Refugee

1 year, 11 months ago

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC

Dutch News

The Netherlands faces ‘social disruption’ if there is no speedy solution to the shortage of housing for refugees, the NRC reported on Friday, quoting internal documents from settlement agency COA, the IND immigration service and justice ministry. The documents make it clear there is ‘no end in sight’ and that the agencies fear a couple of thousand refugees could end …

Refugee

1 year, 11 months ago

Asylum costs still out of control in the Netherlands after 28 years of warnings

NL Times

The Dutch government has remained incapable of controlling the costs for the reception of asylum seekers because the system is constantly going through a cycle of being built up and broken down again, concluded the Court of Audit after an investigation. Moreover, State Secretary Eric van der Burg, who controls asylum policy for the Cabinet, and the Central Agency for …

Court Costs Asylum Audit Reception Coa

2 years ago

Refugees relocated due to strong winds

NL Times

The inhabitants of the Marnewaard temporary shelter for refugees in Zoutkamp, Groningen are being relocated to different facilities due to strong winds. “Because of the strong winds and the weather forecast from yesterday and the upcoming days, the safety in the pavilions is under pressure,” according to a spokesperson. To help ease the burden in Ter Apel, available places being …

Wind Strong Winds Coa Ter Apel Marnewaard

2 years ago

Netherlands needs 20,000 more shelter spots for Ukrainian refugees

NL Times

The Dutch government believes that the number of Ukrainian refugees present in the Netherlands will continue to increase in the coming period. The Cabinet is considering having Ukrainians who earn an income help pay for their accommodation themselves, said State Secretary Eric van der Burg, who handles asylum issues for the Cabinet. Now that it looks like Ukrainian refugees will …

Dutch Cabinet Ukrainian Ukrainians Ukrainian Refugees Van Der Burg Burg

2 years, 1 month ago

Dutch municipalities unsure how to handle a new influx of Ukrainian refugees this winter

NL Times

The winter weather in Ukraine will continue to get colder in the coming week as the country struggles to make repairs after Russian attacks took out large portions of its energy infrastructure. Temperatures in Kyiv could fall below -8 degrees Celsius next week, prompting Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra to say the Netherlands will be ready to take more refugees …

Refugees Ukraine Dutch Netherlands Nos Municipalities

2 years, 2 months ago

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed

Dutch News

The Netherlands’ 344 local authorities have come up with just 100 beds for young asylum seekers who arrived in the country without parents, following an appeal in October for 1,700. Without more beds, there is a ‘real risk’ that some youngsters may end up sleeping on the streets, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg warned at the time. Refugee …

Beds 100 Beds

2 years, 2 months ago

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed

Dutch News

The Netherlands’ 344 local authorities have come up with just 100 beds for young asylum seekers who arrived in the country without parents, following an appeal in October for 1,700. Without more beds, there is a ‘real risk’ that some youngsters may end up sleeping on the streets, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg warned at the time. Refugee …

Beds 100 Beds

2 years, 2 months ago

Refugee numbers top 10,600 in Q3, led by Syrians and Afghans

Dutch News

Over 10,600 people made a first request for asylum status in the Netherlands in the third quarter of this year, according to figures from the immigration service IND. The largest group – 4,600 – came from Syria, followed by nearly 1,000 people from Afghanistan and 935 from Turkey, national statistics agency CBS said, citing figures sourced from the IND. More …

Netherlands Syria Refugee

2 years, 2 months ago

Just three refugees quit part time jobs, Utrecht now says

Dutch News

Just three refugees gave up part time jobs at a fast food restaurant when they were able to leave Utrecht’s refugee centre and move into ordinary housing this summer, the city’s integration chief Rachel Streefland told councillors on Thursday. On Sunday, the Financieele Dagblad reported that ‘dozens’ of refugees had stopped working because they preferred to live on welfare benefits, …

Refugees Utrecht Refugee Centre

2 years, 2 months ago

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal

Dutch News

Just one local council has come forward to say it will make extra beds available for child refugees, dozens of whom are currently sleeping on office floors at the Ter Apel reception centre. Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg made an appeal to all 345 local councils last month, saying 1,700 beds were needed for young asylum seekers who …

Dutch Council Van Der Burg Burg

2 years, 2 months ago

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal

Dutch News

Just one local council has come forward to say it will make extra beds available for child refugees, dozens of whom are currently sleeping on office floors at the Ter Apel reception centre. Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg made an appeal to all 345 local councils last month, saying 1,700 beds were needed for young asylum seekers who …

Dutch Council Van Der Burg Burg

2 years, 3 months ago

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees

Dutch News

Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg has made yet another urgent appeal to local councils to come up with beds for refugees – this time for 1,700 places for youngsters who have travelled to the Netherlands without their parents. ‘I would ask you all, as a matter of real urgency, to prevent us reaching an absolute low point,’ Van …

Local Refugee Minister Van Der Burg

2 years, 3 months ago

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees

Dutch News

Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg has made yet another urgent appeal to local councils to come up with beds for refugees – this time for 1,700 places for youngsters who have travelled to the Netherlands without their parents. ‘I would ask you all, as a matter of real urgency, to prevent us reaching an absolute low point,’ Van …

Local Refugee Minister Van Der Burg

2 years, 3 months ago

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down

Dutch News

The number of beds for asylum seekers has actually fallen, despite government efforts to get local authorities to allocate more places, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said at the weekend. Many contracts for emergency accommodation between councils and refugee settlement agency COA expired at the end of September and the net reduction in beds is around 1,250, Van …

Local Authorities Refugee

2 years, 3 months ago

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down

Dutch News

The number of beds for asylum seekers has actually fallen, despite government efforts to get local authorities to allocate more places, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said at the weekend. Many contracts for emergency accommodation between councils and refugee settlement agency COA expired at the end of September and the net reduction in beds is around 1,250, Van …

Refugee

2 years, 3 months ago

Charity takes state to court over its treatment of refugees

Dutch News

Refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk is taking the Dutch state to court on Thursday in an effort to force the government to improve conditions at asylum seekers’ centres. The agency is demanding officials bring accommodation up to European standards by October 1, claiming that the care of refugees in the Netherlands ‘has dropped below the humanitarian minimum’. In particular, the lack …

Vluchtelingenwerk

2 years, 3 months ago

Charity takes state to court over its treatment of refugees

Dutch News

Refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk is taking the Dutch state to court on Thursday in an effort to force the government to improve conditions at asylum seekers’ centres. The agency is demanding officials bring accommodation up to European standards by October 1, claiming that the care of refugees in the Netherlands ‘has dropped below the humanitarian minimum’. In particular, the lack …

Vluchtelingenwerk

2 years, 4 months ago

150 migrants moved from overcrowded Dutch asylum center

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Authorities moved 150 migrants Thursday …

Dutch Netherlands Asylum Ter Ter Apel

2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council

Dutch News

The village of Albergen in Overijssel has been chosen by ministers as the location for a new asylum seekers centre, under new rules allowing them to bypass local councils. Refugee settlement agency COA has bought a hotel in the village of 3,500 people which has capacity for up to 300 refugees, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg told MPs …

Local Refugee Burg

2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council

Dutch News

The village of Albergen in Overijssel has been chosen by ministers as the location for a new asylum seekers centre, under new rules allowing them to bypass local councils. Refugee settlement agency COA has bought a hotel in the village of 3,500 people which has capacity for up to 300 refugees, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg told MPs …

Local Refugee Burg

2 years, 4 months ago

Ter Apel asylum seekers spend another night outdoors, COA unable to find beds

NL Times

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers searched in vain on Saturday for spots for asylum seekers at Ter Apel application center to sleep. As a result, at least 200 asylum seekers had to sleep outside, according to Nu.nl. The COA attempted to find housing for the asylum seekers all day on Saturday, speaking with municipalities and security …

Asylum Ter Coa Seekers Spend

2 years, 5 months ago

Refugee agency 'on verge of collapse' as vacancies top 1,000

Dutch News

The Dutch refugee agency COA is on the verge of collapse, with almost one in three workers at the Ter Apel reception centre out sick, the NRC reported on Friday. The agency is currently taking care of 43,000 refugees, both people who have recently applied for asylum and over 15,000 who have been granted residency rights but cannot be housed …

Reception Centre

2 years, 5 months ago

Refugee agency 'on verge of collapse' as vacancies top 1,000

Dutch News

The Dutch refugee agency COA is on the verge of collapse, with almost one in three workers at the Ter Apel reception centre out sick, the NRC reported on Friday. The agency is currently taking care of 43,000 refugees, both people who have recently applied for asylum and over 15,000 who have been granted residency rights but cannot be housed …

2 years, 6 months ago

Government faces battle to fix chronic overcrowding at refugee centre

Dutch News

The government has identified a site for a second registration centre for asylum seekers as it tries to ease overcrowding problems at Ter Apel. Deputy justice minister Eric van der Burg said the overspill facility at Bant, in Flevoland, would have room for between 250 and 300 people who will be transferred from Ter Apel in Groningen while their applications …

Refugee Der Ter Van Der Burg Burg Ter Apel

2 years, 6 months ago

Government faces battle to fix chronic overcrowding at refugee centre

Dutch News

The government has identified a site for a second registration centre for asylum seekers as it tries to ease overcrowding problems at Ter Apel. Deputy justice minister Eric van der Burg said the overspill facility at Bant, in Flevoland, would have room for between 250 and 300 people who will be transferred from Ter Apel in Groningen while their applications …

Refugee Der Ter Van Der Burg Burg Ter Apel

2 years, 6 months ago

Refugees' org. to sue Dutch gov't if it doesn't sort out asylum shelter before Aug. 1

NL Times

Refugees’ organization Vlucteligenwerk Nederland gave the Dutch State an ultimatum. The lack of space at asylum shelters means asylum seekers don’t have any privacy, decent accommodation, or clean sanitary facilities. The fact that the Netherlands treats Ukrainian refugees differently from other asylum seekers is clearly discrimination and, therefore, illegal, Vulchtelingwerk said. If the reception locations don’t meet the minimum requirements …

Netherlands State Center Shelter Noordoostpolder Refugees Asylum Seekers Refugees Asylum

2 years, 7 months ago

Four regions picked to kick of refugee emergency bed plan

Dutch News

Amsterdam, Zeeland, Groningen and Friesland have been earmarked to each provide emergency accommodation for 150 refugees for the next two weeks, in an effort to end the overcrowding at the Ter Apel registration centre, where new arrivals have been left to sleep on chairs. Refugee settlement agency COA told news agency ANP that the news is a ‘very welcome contribution …

Refugee Emergency Accommodation New Arrivals

2 years, 7 months ago

Tents set up outside overcrowded asylum center

NL Times

On Wednesday evening, the Red Cross set up tents at the overcrowded asylum application center in Ter Apel to give asylum seekers a place to sleep. Nevertheless, Red Cross director Marieke van Schaik called the situation in Ter Apel "an absolute low point" for asylum reception in the Netherlands. The situation in the overcrowded application center, where all new asylum …

Asylum Center Ter Seekers Ter Apel

2 years, 7 months ago

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre

Dutch News

Around 120 people were again forced to sleep on chairs and on the floor in a waiting room at the Ter Apel refugee reception centre in Groningen on Monday night because of a shortage of beds. ‘People are sitting on plastic chairs which have been glued to the ground,’ a spokesman for refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk told broadcaster NOS. It …

Refugee Ter Groningen Ter Apel

2 years, 7 months ago

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre

Dutch News

Around 120 people were again forced to sleep on chairs and on the floor in a waiting room at the Ter Apel refugee reception centre in Groningen on Monday night because of a shortage of beds. ‘People are sitting on plastic chairs which have been glued to the ground,’ a spokesman for refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk told broadcaster NOS. It …

Refugee Ter Groningen Ter Apel

2 years, 8 months ago

Overflowing asylum center has Cabinet pushing additional relief facilities

NL Times

After images surfaced from the asylum application center in Ter Apel, where people had to wait outside into the early hours of Wednesday morning for a place to sleep, the Cabinet has asked the Groningen security region to deploy crisis emergency shelters for people who are left in the cold. This could mean housing people in locations like sports halls, …

Netherlands Asylum Cabinet Center Der Van Ter

2 years, 8 months ago

Asylum seekers in former Utrecht casino go to Kamp Zeist

NL Times

The two hundred refugees that Utrecht took over from the reception center in Ter Apel at the end of last month will be housed from Sunday in the former military complex Kamp van Zeist. The executive board of the municipality informed the city council in a letter that the refugees will be brought to Kamp van Zeist in coordination with …

Utrecht Ter Apel Seekers Center

2 years, 9 months ago

Cabinet preparing to shelter up to 150,000 Ukrainian refugees

NL Times

The Dutch government expects 100,000 to 150,000 Ukrainians to seek shelter in the Netherlands. You don't know what Putin is going to do," said Migration policy director Bart-Jan ter Heerdt in parliament, referring to the Russian president responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. Ter Heerdt stressed the uncertainty in answering parliamentary questions about the scenarios the Justice Ministry is preparing …

Netherlands Ukrainian

2 years, 9 months ago

Dutch step up preparations for Ukrainian refugees

Dutch News

The government has invoked national crisis legislation to force local authorities to organise accommodation for Ukrainian refugees by Friday. Local mayors must also ensure that they register the newcomers and provide them with money to live on, education and healthcare, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine. ‘In practice …

Ukrainian Ukrainians

2 years, 9 months ago

Dutch step up preparations for Ukrainian refugees

Dutch News

The government has invoked national crisis legislation to force local authorities to organise accommodation for Ukrainian refugees by Friday. Local mayors must also ensure that they register the newcomers and provide them with money to live on, education and healthcare, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine. ‘In practice …

Ukrainian Ukrainians

2 years, 9 months ago

Social housing won't go to Ukrainian refugees over current residents: Housing corporations

NL Times

Social housing associations in the Netherlands are standing firm on their insistence that the reception of Ukrainian refugees is not at the expense of those who have been waiting for a low-priced rental home for a long time. Vestia and Ymere have indicated along with other housing associations that they will not withdraw any homes from their stock due to …

Amsterdam Homes Housing Ukrainian Refugees Current Residents Vestia

2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch King and Queen visit Ukrainians sheltering at refugee site

NL Times

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima took ample time on Thursday to listen to the experiences of Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the Netherlands. The couple was visiting Ukrainians who are housed in the barracks at the Harskamp army site, in the village of the same name within the municipality of Ede. The king and queen concluded every conversation with …

Netherlands Queen Ede Ukrainians Sheltering Harskamp

2 years, 10 months ago

Reception agency arranging 2,000 places for Ukrainian asylum seekers; Municipalities responsible for rest

NL Times

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers is arranging 2,000 places nationwide to shelter asylum seekers from Ukraine. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice and Security asked municipalities not to refer Ukrainian asylum seekers to the asylum center in Ter Apel - where all new asylum seekers have to file their first request - but to arrange shelter for …

Ukraine Asylum Ukrainian Shelter Seekers Utrecht Ukrainian Asylum Seekers

2 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam sees explosive increase in domestic violence reports

NL Times

The number of domestic abuse cases in the Amsterdam region increased so much in the past months that victims can no longer find space in regular shelters. "The situation is sometimes so serious and unsafe, sometimes even life-threatening, that we now permanently rent several hotel rooms," said Jolanda Vader, manager of Blijf Groep, which has been sheltering victims for nearly …

Domestic Violence

2 years, 11 months ago

Alkmaar brothels will also open on Saturday in protest against lockdown

NL Times

Like many non-essential stores and restaurants, the Achterdam window brothels in Alkmaar will open their doors on Saturday to protest against the coronavirus lockdown. The ladies cannot live off of air," window brothel operator Frans Snel announced on Twitter, NH Nieuws reports. How many sex workers will show up on Saturday, Snel could not say to NH Nieuws. "Two sex …

Work Nh Nieuws Snel Support

3 years ago

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand

Dutch News

Former junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol has admitted she had no legal powers to force several local authorities to set up emergency accommodation for refugees. Broekers-Knol told five local councils in mid December they had no choice but to take in refugees, but now says there was no legal basis for the decision. The decision, she said in briefing to …

Refugee Regular Asylum

3 years ago

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand

Dutch News

Former junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol has admitted she had no legal powers to force several local authorities to set up emergency accommodation for refugees. Broekers-Knol told five local councils in mid December they had no choice but to take in refugees, but now says there was no legal basis for the decision. The decision, she said in briefing to …

Refugee Regular Asylum

3 years ago

Minister chooses five locations for emergency refugee centres

Dutch News

Five emergency asylum accommodation centres have been set up to house people currently living in tents and dormitories as the system struggles to cope with demand. Junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol said the locations in Venray, Alkmaar, Rotterdam, Gorinchem and Enschede were chosen because they are available and spread the burden around the country. The nationwide housing shortage has also …

Refugee

Alkmaar says no to refugee reception centre, coalition collapses

History of this topic

Alkmaar says no to refugee reception centre, coalition collapses

Almere gets tent camp to house 450 refugees as housing crisis worsens

Almere gets tent camp to house 450 refugees as housing crisis worsens

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