COA: 75,000 of the required 96,000 reception places available from 1 July

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) expects that 75,000 reception places for asylum seekers will be available in the Netherlands on 1 July. That is what the organization writes on Thursday in a statement. That is less than the purpose of 96,000 places, which was set for 2026 when the Spreading Act was introduced. Although about a quarter of the beds is still missing, the COA is positive about the progress.

« The implementation of the law (with the 75,000 places) offers a clearly workable perspective on a stable reception landscape, » the organization writes. According to the COA, the fact that many different municipalities work is being done on the realization of asylum reception is a positive effect of the Spreading Act. The Spreading Act, initiated by VVD State Secretary Eric van der Burg of the previous cabinet, entered into force in February 2024.

Marjolein Faber (PVV), Minister of Asylum and Migration and Van der Burg’s successor as responsible for the asylum reception, has openly expressed himself as an opponent of the law. Out A data analysis of NRC It turned out that the way in which Faber interprets the law has led to some of the municipalities to realize less reception than initially determined by the law.

Resistance

« We now see fierce resistance during the decision-making process in a number of places, » says COA board chairman Milo Schoenmaker in the statement. Wednesday Express the mobile unit With a demonstration that got out of hand around an information evening about intended reception locations. Five people were arrested.

« At the same time, we continue to talk to the municipalities in question because we know from experience that there is rarely resistance once our locations are open longer, » says Schoenmaker. Of the 75,000 places, around 40,000 are suitable for the longer term, the remaining 35,000 places are emergency shelter locations.

To share

Mail the editors