Social landlords to create 14,000 extra homes for refugees

DutchNews, July 4, 2016

Housing corporations aim to build or convert homes for an extra 14,600 refugees in the next three years, according to a survey within the sector reported in the NRC. 

In total 14 per cent of the available social housing stock this year, or 28,000 homes, will be occupied by refugees. The number is double the figure for last year. 

Umbrella organisation Aedes, which surveyed 134 of its members, said family homes would account for half the new stock, with the rest consisting of mobile accommodation or homes for single people. 

Municipal backlog

Dutch local authorities are struggling to find homes for the 46,400 refugees whom they are obliged to accommodate this year – in the first six months just over 18,000 were given a place to live. 

One in five social landlords receive government subsidies for accommodating so-called ‘status holders’, asylum seekers who have been given permission to stay in the country.

Some corporations decline to take part in the scheme because of the conditions that are attached, such as a limit to the amount of rent they can charge or a requirement to house at least four refugees per unit.