A lucrative deal that the municipality of Assen has made with the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) regarding the arrival of 96 flexible homes may continue. A large majority of the city council approved the agreement tonight. This means that Assen will receive 12.5 million euros from the government to build the flexible housing.
In exchange for that money, Assen must make at least 48 houses in the city available to status holders over the next ten years. These do not necessarily have to be the new flexible housing.
The municipality and COA conclude the deal because of the high pressure on the Dutch asylum system. The flow of status holders to regular homes in particular is stalling. The COA is therefore diligently looking for housing for people who already have a residence permit. Now they are occupying much-needed places in asylum seeker centers.
For Assen, the deal is a relatively cheap solution for the tight housing market. In the provincial capital, like in many other places, there is a shortage of houses.
The intention is for the 96 homes to be built on the Groene Dijk, where the municipality plans to build a total of 160 flex homes. The flex houses are intended for people who need housing quickly, such as people who have just ended a relationship, students or status holders.
Most parties agree with the deal, but not everyone is yet convinced of the construction plans on the Groene Dijk. For example, the CDA has doubts as to whether current residents and entrepreneurs are heard enough when drawing up these plans.
For the one-man faction Lijst De Rijke, communication with residents and entrepreneurs was the only reason to vote against the COA deal.
The municipal council will discuss the construction plans on the Groene Dijk in March next year. If a majority votes against those plans, the deal with COA may not go ahead.