Temporary shelter for 80 refugees in New West
All regular asylum seekers’ centers in the Netherlands are full, consistently Derkinderenstraat is the third location in Amsterdam in a short time to be made available for asylum seekers and status holders. In principle, they will stay here until November 1.
Responsible alderman Rutger Groot Wassink (Refugees and Undocumented Persons) writes in a letter to local residents that he finds it self-evident that the municipality helps with reception. His statement says the college is investigating there are other locations in the city where asylum seekers can be temporarily housed.
It is not the first time that this building, which also houses the Lola Luid breeding ground, has been used for asylum seekers. In 2018 and 2019, 150 migrants without valid residence papers also lived in the old school building. The neighborhood experienced little nuisance from the temporary residents.
Earlier 90 status holders were welcomed in the Stayokay on Kloveniersburgwal. Since last Wednesday, 300 asylum seekers and status holders have been at the Marineterrein. In principle, these locations are also open until November 1.
Utrecht Jaarbeurs
COA has been struggling with a major shortage of places for asylum seekers for some time now. The 30,000 beds available in the country have been occupied since the beginning of this month. COA chairman Milo Schoenmaker told this newspaper last weekend that he ‘thinks it is logical’ that empty buildings are quickly made habitable.
Outgoing State Secretary Ankie Broekers-Knol (Asylum) presented good news for COA and municipalities on Tuesday: as of November 1, 3000 extra reception places will be added for asylum seekers. It is probably a combination of regular asylum seekers’ centers and extra emergency reception locations, such as the Utrecht Jaarbeurs and the Frieslandhallen. It is likely that the temporary reception in Amsterdam will therefore remain temporary.