Alkmaar and the COA have started a new participation process regarding the reception of asylum seekers, status holders and emergency seekers in the old AZC on the Robonsbosweg. The municipality also wants to involve residents, organizations and associations in the plans by, among other things, establishing a neighborhood panel.
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) is looking for more space in Alkmaar to accommodate refugees and has been eyeing the tax office for this for a long time. Refugees were previously housed there. However, the subject is more than sensitive in Alkmaar. A Central Reception Location (COL) would be located here to relieve Ter Apel. But it college fell twice about the plans.
Under the new coalition, due to the dire shortage of shelter, it was decided to reopen the old AZC, only without COL. But the municipality does want to retain its own control in this regard by purchasing the government building and go through a thorough participation process, media partner reports Regional city Central.
The plan now is to use the building until 2030 as a reception location for asylum seekers and as a transfer location for Alkmaar status holders and other Alkmaar emergency seekers. A maximum of 450 people may stay at the location.
Safety and integration
According to the ‘Participation plan for the use of Robonsbosweg’, residents, companies, associations and schools from the area will be consulted in the coming month via an online poll, physical meetings, personal conversations and the neighborhood panel. The neighborhood panel tackles specific issues, such as parking, safety, social integration and education.
The working groups are concerned with implementing solutions for various points of interest. This includes volunteer work or mentoring programs for integration and setting up cultural exchanges. There is no mention of when the shelter will open its doors.