The number of asylum seekers in Ter Apel fell to approximately 1,700 people last weekend. The days before, there were still around 2,100 people in the registration center.
The decrease is due to the opening of the emergency shelter in Biddinghuizen, where a winter shelter has been set up for the fourth time. There is room for 1250 people.
Because there were fewer than 2,000 asylum seekers in the reception center, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) did not have to pay a fine to the municipality of Westerwolde. Since September 9, that number has been exceeded several times. The COA is fined 50,000 euros each time. The counter now stands at 1,250,000 euros.
The pressure on Ter Apel has increased recently due to the closure of several temporary reception locations. Too many status holders are also staying in asylum seeker centers. They are recognized refugees, but cannot move into regular housing due to the housing shortage.