In the first year after the law comes into effect, municipalities will still have one year to give priority to status holders for renting a room or shared living space. This serves as an incentive to ensure that shared housing becomes the new norm for single status holders. It also helps with the outflow from asylum reception centers that are currently full.

Normalizing the position of status holders means that they must search for suitable housing in the same way as other Dutch citizens. The minister first addresses status holders regarding their own responsibility for finding housing. They can look for a rental house with a private landlord, buy a house, or temporarily live with friends, family, or a host. Sometimes status holders also receive priority for housing through study or work. Other options include shared housing or using flex homes, transition locations, or reception locations that have been converted into homes.

The cabinet is already using various instruments to increase housing options for status holders and other housing seekers. Municipalities receive subsidies to open special transition locations where other housing seekers can also find a place. These temporary housing forms help status holders start working and integrating. This way, they leave the asylum reception faster, which helps reduce the current pressure on the reception. For other housing seekers, these housing forms also provide opportunities for a quicker start to their housing career.

The bill was consulted this spring, allowing everyone to respond to it. There was significant support from residents for normalizing the position of status holders in the housing market. Many people who responded support the idea of no longer giving priority to status holders in the queue for affordable housing. At the same time, municipalities, provinces, and other organizations are concerned about the consequences. They want status holders to continue to transition from asylum reception to housing and to make a good start in society.

The bill and the housing options are part of a set of measures the cabinet is taking to gain control over migration by reducing asylum inflow and limiting pressure on reception. The measures from this package are being implemented step by step and viewed in conjunction with each other. The involved ministers will inform the House of Representatives about the progress before the summer.