Three Dutch municipalities unite to tackle homelessness among EU labour migrants
Schiedam, Vlaardingen, and Maassluis are joining forces to support homeless EU labour migrants by offering employment, housing, or voluntary return options. This regional approach aims to prevent vulnerable workers from falling through the cracks and reduce neighbourhood nuisance.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities Involved | Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis |
| Target Group | Homeless EU labour migrants, primarily from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria |
| Sectors of Employment | Logistics, greenhouse horticulture, food processing, construction |
| Partner Organisations | Stichting Barka, The Salvation Army |
| Approach Focus | Employment guidance, housing support, voluntary return assistance |
| Implementation Start | 2026 (preparations began in 2025) |
| Region | Rijnmond, Netherlands |
Dutch municipalities are responsible for social welfare, including housing and support for vulnerable groups like homeless labour migrants. This initiative reflects their duty to coordinate regional solutions and collaborate with national partners and NGOs to address complex social issues.
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Read the full translated article below
Joint approach for homeless EU migrants
The municipalities of Schiedam, Vlaardingen and Maassluis are launching a joint approach to support homeless EU labour migrants. With this regional strategy, the municipalities aim to better guide people towards employment and associated housing, or – where more appropriate – towards voluntary return to their country of origin.
Many EU labour migrants come to the Netherlands to work temporarily. In the Rijnmond region, this often involves people from Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. They work, for example, in logistics, greenhouse horticulture, food processing, construction or via temporary employment agencies in temporary or seasonal jobs.
Employment and housing are often closely linked. When work stops or a contract ends, some labour migrants also lose their accommodation. In such situations, people can end up in a vulnerable position and sometimes even end up on the streets.
Perspective
The three municipalities see that the issue does not stop at municipal borders. That is why Vlaardingen, Schiedam and Maassluis are working together on a single joint approach and are aligning with regional facilities, knowledge and experience from national partners and other municipalities, such as the municipality of Rotterdam.
The core of the approach is to offer perspective. By gaining better insight into the target group and their situation, places of residence and possible guidance routes, people can be helped more quickly and effectively. For example, by finding new work, which can also lead to housing. In other cases, guidance towards voluntary return to their country of origin may be a better solution.
Employment and housing
Councillor Arnoud Proos (Social Shelter) on behalf of Schiedam councillor Petra Zwang and Maassluis councillor Martijn Kroonen: “When work and a home disappear, people can sometimes quickly find themselves in a vulnerable situation. With this regional approach, we ensure that people do not fall through the cracks. We help them back on track towards work and housing, or – if that is better – towards a safe return to their own country. At the same time, we want to reduce nuisance in neighbourhoods and gain more control over the issue. This can only be achieved by municipalities working together and by collaborating with partners who have extensive experience with this target group.”
Barka and The Salvation Army
For implementation, the municipalities are working with social organisations that have extensive experience with EU labour migrants. Stichting Barka is an international organisation specialising in assistance and guidance for labour migrants from Central and Eastern Europe. The organisation has teams in the Netherlands and in various European countries that help people with practical support, guidance towards employment, and – where necessary – with voluntary return to their country of origin and support with reintegration there.
The Salvation Army provides shelter, guidance and support in the Netherlands to people without a stable living situation. For EU labour migrants, this includes fieldwork, first aid and guidance towards suitable solutions such as work, shelter or return.
Larisa Melinceanu, Deputy Director of Stichting Barka NL: “We work daily with EU citizens who have lost their jobs, housing and health insurance. With language- and culture-sensitive guidance, the involvement of peer experts and practical support, we help people find new perspective – where possible in the Netherlands, or through reconnection with their country of origin. This regional collaboration makes it possible to reach and support people more quickly and effectively.” Kees Drooger, Regional Manager of The Salvation Army Rijnmond Southwest: “Homelessness among EU labour migrants often arises from a combination of factors: loss of work, the associated housing and a lack of (supportive) network. We actively seek out these people, make contact and introduce them to assistance. We work together with other partners in the chain, including the municipality and Barka. In this way, we aim to offer people stability and future prospects.”
Planning
Preparations for the regional approach began in 2025. From 2026 onwards, guidance trajectories will be implemented, analyses will be refined, results will be evaluated and collaboration with partners will be further expanded.