Breda steps up with 3-month emergency shelter for 500 asylum seekers amid national overcrowding crisis
Breda is opening a temporary emergency shelter for 500 asylum seekers to ease pressure on overcrowded national reception centers. The facility, active in April, July, and August, offers basic amenities and 24/7 security, helping municipalities like Ter Apel and Hardenberg cope with the crisis.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Breepark, Breda, Noord-Brabant |
| Duration | 3 months (April, July, August 2026) |
| Capacity | Up to 500 asylum seekers |
| Facilities | Beds, food, shared sanitary and recreational areas |
| Safety Measures | 24-hour supervision, street coaches, visible security for residents |
| Start Date | April 1, 2026 |
| Municipalities Supported | Ter Apel, Hardenberg, Epe |
| Permit Required | Temporary environmental permit from Breda municipality |
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) is responsible for organizing and managing asylum seeker reception facilities in the Netherlands. Municipalities like Breda play a crucial role in providing temporary or permanent locations to address national shortages and overcrowding.
Read the full translated article below
The COA opens a temporary reception facility for asylum seekers in Breda for 3 months
The various reception facilities for asylum seekers in the Netherlands are overcrowded. As a result, several locations are being kept open for longer than planned. In addition, the number of asylum seekers at existing locations often far exceeds the permitted capacity. The COA is therefore urgently looking for locations that can be made temporarily available at very short notice. Breda is willing to take its responsibility and not leave other municipalities in the lurch. For this reason, it has decided to grant the COA’s request to open a temporary emergency facility at Breepark for a period of 3 months.
By taking in this temporary emergency reception, Breda is helping other municipalities such as Ter Apel, Hardenberg and Epe out of a difficult situation.
Councillor Arjen van Drunen
Asylum and integration
Councillor Arjen van Drunen (asylum and integration): “We had hoped that opening an emergency facility would no longer be necessary. With the dispersal act, all municipalities are required to accommodate asylum seekers. However, setting up permanent facilities takes time. By taking responsibility for this temporary emergency reception, Breda is helping other municipalities such as Ter Apel, Hardenberg and Epe out of a difficult situation. We hope that other municipalities will follow this example.”
The temporary reception facility can accommodate up to 500 people. It will be open in April, July and August. In May and June, various large events are planned in Breepark, which means the location will not be available to the COA.
The first refugees are expected on April 1. The reception will be basic, with beds, food and shared sanitary facilities. There will also be a shared recreational area.
The municipality has made clear agreements with the COA regarding livability and safety. For example, it has been agreed that multiple street coaches will be present at the location and in the surrounding area to help asylum seekers find their way. The COA has also agreed that these street coaches will be visible to local residents and entrepreneurs and act as the first point of contact. The facility will have 24-hour supervision and security.
The municipality must grant the COA a temporary environmental permit to enable the reception. Residents and entrepreneurs in the immediate vicinity will be invited to an open evening where they can ask questions.
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