The residents of the Vasalis building in Roden live in uncertainty for half a year. The manager of the building, Woonborg, wants to convert 21 apartments into care apartments. The current residents then have to move and they protest against that.
Today they received support in their protest from Minister Fleur Agema (PVV) of Health, Welfare and Sport. The minister talked to the residents first and foremost what the problems are.
The minister’s visit feels like a heart. “I was very nervous to meet her yesterday, but she was friendly, cozy and there were a lot of emotions. Because then your story comes, you get wet and the tears come,” says Truus Brink. She lived in her apartment for two years when the letter from Woonborg fell on her mat.
Spokesperson for the Piet Notenbomer residents’ committee was also pleased with the visit of Agema. “The dilemma we are sitting for – on the one hand, care for the future becomes more difficult, on the other hand you can’t just turn off these people – she realizes very well.” He understands that the minister cannot come up with solutions, but hopes that her opinion will turn out favorably for them.
As Minister for Public Health, Welfare and Sport, Agema Woonborg cannot force Woonborg to cancel the plans. Nevertheless, she calls on the housing corporation to ignore the plans. “I have no decision -making authority here. I do have my mouth and stationery, so I will convey the person concerned that I cannot place this. That I find it incomprehensible. I hope that I can help the situation here, that this one People get a letter that this whole plan is going on. “
As an alternative, she would rather see that Woonborg, together with Zorggroep Drenthe, chooses to build a new building, because within five years, 288,000 extra elderly places are needed nationwide. She also evokes that Woonborg and the residents will talk to each other so that they come out together.
In a reaction Woonborg says: “We understand that the Vasalis plan ‘Living with a plus’ is evoking a lot of emotions. That is why we support the call from Minister Agema to talk to each other. We also want to: talk together and search for good Solutions for both residents and the increasing demand for care in the region. “