The dignitaries stay in hotels as much as they can, even without the permission of the municipality

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) will place the status holders in reception centers as far as possible in hotels close to the asylum seeker center where they are currently living, without obtaining the permission of the municipalities concerned. The COA said it had launched a national campaign on Thursday to reduce pressure on asylum reception centers.

COA reports that status holders – who have a residence permit and are therefore already entitled to housing – are being accommodated in hotels “in limited numbers”. This is already happening in some municipalities COA says it works “on behalf of the government and after approval by the King’s commissioners”. Usually no permission from the municipality is required to place status holders in hotels, because they are in the Netherlands legally. This is different for asylum seekers.

The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) says it is aware of the status holders’ plans. According to the group of people involved, it is “good” to inform the municipality in advance, the spokesperson said. COA says that also happens.

About 10,000 places in the asylum reception are currently owned by the status holders, for whom the municipalities should have already planned housing. But due in part to the housing shortage, municipalities are unable to meet this goal.

The South Dutch municipality of Krimpenerwaard reported on Thursday that the COA will “unexpectedly” host twenty dignitaries in a hotel in Lekkerkerk from next week. “The municipality had no influence in this COA decision,” says Mayor Hans Beenakker. Castricum reported last week that it has already been “surprised” by the placement of status holders in hotels in the North Holland municipality.

It has not been announced if all 10,000 people will be moved to hotels and when this will happen. COA reports that the shelters that will be available will be used for asylum seekers who are currently in asylum centers that are being closed.

At the beginning of this month, outgoing Secretary of State Eric van der Burg (Asylum) issued an urgent call to municipalities to make hotels available. Hotels are already being used to reduce the worst demand in residential accommodation. For example, it is used as an emergency shelter and some already have status.