3 weeks Ago
The appeal has gathered support from numerous organizations, including housing corporations, the mental healthcare platform MIND, and the National Student Union (LSVb). Their joint demand is aimed at changing current housing rules that limit access for many homeless people.
Push to Broaden Priority Categories
Currently, only a limited group of homeless individuals qualify for an urgency declaration that grants priority access to social housing. This includes people who are currently in shelters or have recently left such facilities or mental health institutions. However, Dakloosheid Voorbij! Argues that this is too narrow.
The collective wants the law to include a wider range of people facing housing insecurity—such as young individuals who move between couches, people temporarily staying with family where they cannot officially register, and even those sleeping in vehicles or caravans. Their manifesto calls for these individuals to be officially recognized as urgently needing housing.
Preventing Homelessness, Not Just Reacting to It
According to Nil Şendil of Dakloosheid Voorbij!, the current approach requires people to hit a crisis point before they are considered for housing support. Şendil emphasized that many already face housing difficulties and can show proof through the absence of a registered address.
The National Action Plan for Homelessness includes a government commitment that no one should be without a home by 2030. The collective believes that this goal can only be achieved if housing policies are adapted to support people before their situations become critical.
Stay informed with DutchNews – your go-to source for the latest updates from the Netherlands and around the globe, covering trends, politics, tech, health, sports, entertainment, and more!
