The anti-squat residents of a former nursing home in Edam heard yesterday that a few dozen Ukrainian refugees may still be housed in the building this week. “Refugee reception is fine, but then give us an alternative.”
There is currently a feverish search throughout the Netherlands for shelters for the growing stream of Ukrainian war refugees, 50,000 places have to be found. The municipality of Edam-Volendam announced on Tuesday that it is considering the De Meermin building as a shelter. That building, with about 80 rooms, has not been used as a care home since 2020. Local residents were informed on Tuesday evening, a construction company has already started work.
‘Empty’ building
But the building still has residents. “We read everywhere that it was an empty building, but twelve people live in anti-squat. And we were quite taken by surprise by the announcement that they are now going to fill the rooms in the entire building,” says resident Kaylee. According to her, it is not yet clear whether the anti-squat residents must leave the building quickly or whether they can continue to live there (temporarily). “I think the reception of refugees is fine, but then give us an alternative, because this will be at our expense.” Her friend: “If the municipality would now provide sufficient social housing…”
It looks like the residents can just stay there. Maybe they need to thicken up a bit
A spokesperson for the municipality of Edam-Volendam states that there are still plenty of consultations with and between the owner of the property and the residents. Even tonight. “As far as we are concerned, there is not much going on. It looks like the residents can just stay there. Maybe they need to thicken up a bit.”
However, not all residents are happy with this. Kaylee: ,,I don’t know what kind of refugees are coming? Are they women and children? Or men too? It’s a very noisy building anyway.” The spokesperson for the municipality states that the direct discussion party in the talks is not the municipality, but the owner of the property. “But we have a duty of care to our residents, so we are going to look for a solution.”
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