Increasing pressure
Partly because of one article from NH News and the weather forecasts, the pressure to take action increased. Last Thursday, the municipalities of Gooise Meren and Hilversum came to a solution for the vulnerable duo who had been in the situation for months.
According to Blom, it took some persuasion to get the couple to leave. “With temperatures of up to 15 degrees below zero in prospect, they did not think it was wise to stay longer.” After consultation with their administrator, the couple got into a taxi to Hilversum on Thursday afternoon.
According to the municipality of Hilversum, shelter had been available for the couple for some time. They could have gone to homeless shelters, but did not use them. For reasons of privacy, the municipality cannot explain why that option was not a solution for the residents.
Summary proceedings dismissed
Because the squatters left voluntarily, Natuurmonumenten is withdrawing the summary proceedings that were to be filed on Monday. “I honestly didn’t see this coming,” said Blom. “I didn’t lose any sleep over it, but I was very concerned, because this could have really gone wrong.”