The construction of Skaeve Huse, a residential facility for people with psychiatric and addiction problems in Harkstede, resulted in a legal battle between local residents and the municipality of Groningen.
In a garden along the Hoofdweg between Groningen and Harkstede there is a sign with a QR code. It reads: ‘Please help. Support the objection to Skaeve Huse’s environmental permit. “The donation campaign is necessary to pay the lawyer’s fees,” says local resident Monica van Heerde.
She and her neighbors very recently objected to the shelter. This concerns ten residential units for people with one or more addictions for whom there is no place to live yet. Skaeve Huse means crooked or unusual houses in Danish. The municipality of Groningen and the Lefier housing association have been working on the arrival for six years.
Feeling of insecurity
In 2021, the city council decided that this form of housing should come here. Local residents object to the location. They lack guarantees for good guidance and think that their safety is at risk. They fear the arrival of people who can exhibit unpredictable behavior due to their mental state. The municipality believes it is good that people from this group with this type of housing will have their own place to live for a longer period of time.
We are awaiting a hearing by the municipal objection committee. Van Heerde: “We have hired a lawyer. We divide the costs among the people who support us.” The neighborhood collected 2,100 signatures last year and received financial contributions. It was estimated that 15,000 euros are needed to conduct proper legal proceedings against the municipality of Groningen. At the time the counter stood at 6,000 euros. “We could still use some money,” says Van Heerde.
‘There is radio silence’
Last year, an environmental permit was applied for for the construction of Skaeve Huse. “We object to the municipality granting this permit. For the rest there is radio silence. We have no contact with the municipality, Lefier or other parties involved in the project. We do not discuss progress with us. Apparently there is a new project leader, but we don’t know him.”
The municipality writes on its website that the area had an extensive opportunity to share views on the arrival of Skaeve Huse in 2022. All consultation responses have been listed and explained during information meetings. The municipality therefore considers the ‘participation process’ to be completed.
Construction traffic over Skaeve Huse?
Van Heerde says that the local residents involved are combative. “But we also notice that with the absence of Skaeve Huse, there are doubts whether it will ever happen.” According to Van Heerde, this is because the Meerstad project organization has signed a road over the Skaeve Huse location. “When the residential and water area is expanded, construction traffic will soon have to drive over it.” Meerstad has stated that the road can also be located elsewhere if desired.