Amsterdam winter shelter opens amid growing need for homeless services
The City of Amsterdam has once again opened its winter shelters for homeless individuals as part of a critical initiative to address growing demand for emergency housing. Four locations across the city are now accepting up to 250 people through April 1, 2024, offering beds, showers, and hot meals.
The shelters are designed to provide temporary relief for people who are homeless or living in precarious housing situations, with a special emphasis on those most vulnerable during the cold winter months. The program also includes experienced counselors who engage with shelter residents to discuss available resources and support.
According to a spokesperson from the City of Amsterdam, the winter shelters are subject to a screening process, where individuals must demonstrate a certain connection to the city to access the services. Those who do not meet the criteria may be turned away to prevent an overflow of individuals from other parts of the country, which the shelters are not equipped to handle. Young adults up to 23 years old are guaranteed access to the shelters regardless of other factors.
“We must prioritize those who are most in need in Amsterdam,” the spokesperson said. “Sometimes we have to turn people away to avoid overcrowding.” People can access the shelters daily between 4:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and are required to leave by 9:30 a.m. the following day. During the daytime, individuals can visit day centers around the city to seek support.
In addition to the four winter shelters, the city has a special cold-weather shelter program that opens when the temperature falls below freezing, providing another 250 spaces for those at risk of exposure to extreme weather.
Meanwhile, the opening of a new winter shelter at Barndesteeg, located in Amsterdam's iconic Red Light District, has been controversial. Despite opposition from local residents, who feared increased disturbance, the shelter opened on December 1, 2024. A recent court ruling cleared the way for the shelter, with the judge emphasizing that the urgent need for shelter outweighs concerns about potential neighborhood disruptions.
The shelter is located in the former Shelter City Hostel, owned by the Tot Heil des Volks Foundation, and will provide beds for 90 women, young adults (18-27), and economically vulnerable people. In cases of extreme cold, an additional 60 spots will be made available. During the summer months, the space will revert to its use as a hostel.
An advocacy group called Stopdegekte, which is focused on maintaining the livability of the Wallen district, challenged the opening in court, citing the already high level of strain in the area. "The city already acknowledged that the Wallen area is overloaded, and they previously committed to not adding more shelters," said Huug Scholten, the group's lawyer.
However, 316 local residents voiced their support for the shelter's opening, with one community member, Pim van Burk, writing in a local opinion piece, “We cannot leave the homeless literally and figuratively out in the cold.”
A study released on November 30, 2024, revealed that the waiting lists for sheltered housing and long-term accommodation have surged by 56 percent since 2022, and more than 900 people are currently on various waiting lists in the city. The delays are felt most acutely by those in need of 24-hour care and supervision, such as individuals with addiction or mental health problems.
“Amsterdam is doing its best to expand capacity, but we need help from the national government,” said Rutger Groot Wassink, Amsterdam’s alderman responsible for homelessness. “This is not just a city problem; it’s a nationwide issue. We need affordable housing, and we need more support for those who need long-term care.”
