Former Social Affairs building to house 600 refugees

The former Social Affairs Ministry office in The Hague is to be used to house approximately 600 refugees until the end of the year. The announcement was made by the municipality of The Hague onTuesday, reported NU.nl .The ministry is moving to the recently vacated building next to Laan van NOI station. With more than ten thousand resident status holders among asylum seekers unable to find housing, the Netherlands is struggling to move people out of asylum centers, hampering the acceptance of incoming refugees. The municipality has commented that it recognizes the need for shelter and that everyone has an obligation to play their role as well as possible, reported NU. Other locations around The Hague have been suggested to be used for those with residence permits, and even though the municipality recognizes that there are people who do not want status holders in their environment, they admitted that they cannot meet everyone’s wants. The Hague has to find space for an estimated 2390 successful asylum seekers between now and the end of next year. This will cost the municipality and the government tens of millions of euros.