Last night, 2,007 asylum seekers spent the night in the registration center in Ter Apel, reports the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). This brings the number above 2,000 for the first time in two weeks.
For every day that there are too many asylum seekers in Ter Apel, the COA must pay a penalty of 50,000 euros to the municipality of Westerwolde. The total amount has now risen to 750,000 euros. The maximum is 5 million euros.
At the beginning of September, the maximum limit of 2,000 asylum seekers was exceeded for the first time since last year. By transferring asylum seekers, there was then some space in Ter Apel. After that, the number increased again, until the end of September. Since October 1, the number had remained below the maximum. Until last night.
The fact that it is busy is partly due to the closure of some temporary reception locations. Too many status holders are also staying in asylum seeker centers. They are recognized refugees, but cannot move into regular housing due to the housing shortage.