Councilor Laura de Waal (25) withdraws from the Woensdrecht council. The reason: she cannot find a home within the municipal boundaries. Councilors are required by law to live in the municipality where they are councillors. “I hope housing associations will change their policies.”
Laura became a councilor for Algemeen Belang Zuidwesthoek (ABZ) in 2018, with 97 preferential votes. She was still living with her parents at the time, but they decided to move to Spain three years ago. “When it became clear that they were leaving, I started actively looking for a home of my own.”
In the meantime, she was able to visit family. And even party members offered places to stay. She stayed with her cousin and could use a house in Putte for four months. She is now staying with other relatives. “After three years, that is no longer possible, both physically and mentally,” she says.
“My choice now makes me feel like I’m dropping people.”
She started her work in the city council with many political ambitions. “I wanted to change the world and say something about the bureaucracy.” She also wanted to tackle the housing shortage and arrange more facilities for young people. This year she even got 297 preferential votes. “Because of my choice, I now feel like I’m dropping people. That I can’t physically be there for them feels like a disappointment.”
But it is the result of the fact that she cannot find a house in Woensdrecht. After all, it is a formal requirement that councilors live in the municipality where they become councilors from their candidacy. The law makes no exceptions. Despite her problem, Laura thinks this is justified. “You have to be there to represent the people. I want to know how things are going in Woensdrecht.”
She is now tired of the temporary solutions. “I want to build my future, but I can’t see beyond three months. For the same money I will be on the street in a while.” She expects little more from housing association Stadlander and housing association Woensdrecht after all this time. Stadlander deregisters her again after three years of registration. “That’s their policy. I’m starting from scratch again.”
“I question this policy.”
According to Stadlander, this is done in order to have a list of active home seekers. ‘So only people who want to move within three years, not people who already register for ten years,’ explains the housing association. If the registration period expires, Stadlander can, however, offer customization. However, according to Laura, that did not happen.
At Woningstichting Woensdrecht, the oldest age is the criterion for starters who do not leave independent living space behind. “Anyone older is more likely to be chosen,” Laura sighs. “I question this policy.”
A thirty-something was given priority over a house she could move into. He had only lived in Woensdrecht for three weeks. “Then something snapped. It woke me up and didn’t feel like looking for a home anymore. It made me decide to step down as a councillor.”
“I want to stay active here from a distance.”
In the council meeting of September 29, Laura wants to draw attention to this problem one last time, after which she resigns.
Laura is now staying with her parents in Spain, where she will work on her own social media company. She remains registered in Woensdrecht, but the search for a home is on the back burner for a while. “I want to stay active here from a distance.”
She therefore connects residents to other representatives of the people and works online for various foundations and ABZ. “I can’t think of any other place than Woensdrecht. I’m not ready to give this up yet.”
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