News item | 11-12-2025 | 12:39
The government will provide more focus and direction in the approach for people with confused behavior. The focus will be on facilitating places to live and reducing restrictions on data sharing. To enable the field to implement this, a comprehensive approach with structural and reliable financing is agreed under national direction.
These priorities, formulated after discussions with practitioners, are the basis for a more coherent approach for people with confused and misunderstood behavior and their environment. The government is thus taking the next step in the integrated approach and further concretization and elaboration will follow soon. This is being worked on by an interdepartmental program consisting of VWS, JenV, VRO and SZW, under the process direction of the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
Minister of the Interior Frank Rijkaart, coordinating ministers for the broad approach to confused and misunderstood behavior: “Every year there are more reports of confused people, last year almost 150,000. There are too many and we need to strengthen our approach to help these people properly. This requires more coordination and actions that are in line with what professionals in practice require. With these priorities we can take steps to strengthen assistance for these people and their environment.”
An overview of the priorities that the government will implement in practice in 2026:
1. More homes and appropriate housing facilities
The government is taking national control to provide housing or shelter with associated care and safety for this target group. A suitable structural care center must be created for people with severe multi-problems, who pose a danger to themselves and their environment. The Ministries of VRO and VWS work together with municipalities to improve the housing challenge for this target group.
2. Clarity about data exchange frameworks
There are rules attached to the use of data for privacy reasons. The government, together with chain partners, will investigate whether there are any ambiguities, obstacles or gaps and how current possibilities can be better utilized.
3. National direction, local implementation
The government is working towards a comprehensive and more uniform approach with agreements on how this will be implemented locally.
4. Structural reliable financing
Structural and reliable financing is an important precondition for continuity of initiatives surrounding confused and misunderstood behavior. The government will continue to work out how this can take shape in the near future.