The Dutch government may require municipalities to accept refugees
The Netherlands is considering increasing pressure on municipalities due to a shortage of housing for refugees. Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink stated that the government is prepared to take coercive measures against municipalities that refuse to create additional housing for asylum seekers.
This was reported by NOS.
“This is what the law requires of me. Together with the municipalities, we must ensure these places,” the minister said.
According to him, this option is provided for by law, and the state, together with local authorities, is obligated to ensure the necessary number of places. Currently, most municipalities are not complying with the requirements of the so-called Distribution Act.
The situation is complicated by a severe shortage of places in accommodation centers. In the near future, there will already be a shortage of about 4,500 places, and by the end of summer, this figure could rise to nearly 8,000.
Brink has already twice appealed to municipalities, demanding they explain the reasons for the shortfall and step up their efforts. If the situation does not change, the government may impose oversight and, as a last resort, independently designate accommodation sites that municipalities will be required to accept.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers emphasizes that it prefers voluntary cooperation from municipalities. They are being encouraged to negotiate among themselves regarding the distribution of the burden.
The government acknowledges that implementing the plan will be difficult, but expects that most local communities will nevertheless take responsibility for resolving the migration crisis.
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