The municipality of Maastricht will spend extra funds in the coming years to tackle poverty and debt. Improving the security of existence for residents is a major ambition of the council and college. With the new policy framework ‘We see you’, the municipality consciously opts for a long-term and integrated approach. Poverty is a complex problem with deep consequences for residents. “With this plan, the municipality aims to counteract the division in the city and contribute to security of existence, equal opportunities for children, and positive health for everyone. We want to be visible to those who need us and build together a Maastricht where everyone can participate,” said alderman Jeroen Hoenderkamp.

Extra investment 

The municipality will invest an additional 1.5 million euros per year in poverty measures in the coming years. This brings the total budget to approximately 13.5 million euros (excluding general assistance). These additional resources will be used, among other things, to increase the reach among residents of poverty regulations and assistance, to give children in poverty the opportunity to participate, to create a subsidy scheme for poverty organizations, to establish a fund for tackling energy poverty, and to offer free transportation for low-income individuals with disabilities.

Five pillars of the new policy and the main measures

The policy framework is built around five interconnected pillars:

  1. Prevention – Preventing residents from falling into poverty or debt as much as possible, among other things through financial education and assistance with administration.
  2. Reach – Reaching more residents in poverty or debt and being accessible to them, among other things through (expansion of) neighborhood service points and targeted communication to low-income individuals.
  3. Burden reduction – Alleviating the financial burdens of residents through the cancellation of municipal taxes. A temporary fund will also be established to combat energy poverty. We will make travel with Omnibuzz free for low-income individuals with disabilities, so they do not have to pay more than ‘unlimited’ low-income individuals, who can now travel for free with regular public transport.
  4. Support – Supporting residents in participation and development by increasing allowances for the costs of sports, culture, and school, particularly through the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture, the Adult Fund for Sports and Culture, and the Learning Fund. A new subsidy scheme will also be introduced for poverty organizations that provide material assistance or personal support, such as food banks.
  5. Perspective – Helping residents sustainably out of poverty, among other things through debt assistance and support for entrepreneurship.

Together with the city

The new poverty plan has been developed in close collaboration with social partners, poverty organizations, and experts by experience. The municipal council will discuss the policy framework on September 17 and will make a decision on September 23.