Minister Faber (Asylum and Migration): ‘Asylum reception is not intended for status holders. Those who are allowed to stay in the Netherlands must leave an asylum center as soon as possible and contribute to society: working, integrating, and being self-sufficient. This can be done, for example, in transition locations. By also limiting the influx of asylum seekers, we structurally solve the problem of overcrowded reception.’
Currently, nearly 17,500 status holders occupy places in asylum reception. These places are meant for asylum seekers, which is causing the reception to become overcrowded. To relieve this pressure, it is important that status holders transition to municipalities. At the same time, the pressure on the housing market is also significant. Therefore, the cabinet is taking measures in the short and long term.
Compensations
Municipalities receive a one-time payment when a status holder is accommodated. Additionally, municipalities receive compensation for the costs incurred in establishing a transition location. This is how the cabinet addresses the points raised in the evaluation of the previous pilot transition locations.
Alternative Housing Solutions
In the long term, the cabinet is exploring alternative housing solutions, such as (non)independent housing for status holders and refugees from Ukraine. The premise is that this housing is intended for different target groups, so that there is no additional pressure on the social rental housing stock. Additionally, status holders are expected to financially contribute to their housing.