Rotterdam official accused of giving homes intended for homeless to his family

Rotterdam’s city government has pressed charges against a former official who allegedly allowed family members and friends to live rent-free in eight municipal properties intended for homeless people.

One year ago, the city received an integrity complaint concerning the employee’s use of the properties, which led the municipality to open an investigation.

The investigation revealed that “the unlawful allocation of homes began with one property in 2015 and expanded to eight properties in 2024,” the municipal executive wrote to the city council. The civil servant did this by “misleading colleagues and, among other things, manipulating administrative systems.” The employee was dismissed on the spot, and a complaint was filed in August.

According to the municipality, the damage caused by the unlawful use is 337,000 euros. However, the actual costs for the municipality are higher.

The city has demanded compensation not only from the former official but also from the friends who lived in the properties. “The employee was fully aware that these residents did not qualify for the housing in question,” the municipality stated. “The unlawful occupants of the homes have been held liable because they could reasonably have known (‘nothing comes for free’) that the former employee was not acting on behalf of the municipality or a housing corporation.”

According to the municipal executive, the former civil servant has denied all liability for the damages. With the residents, the municipality hopes to reach an agreement on a payment plan and the vacating of the homes.