Municipalities need more financial support from the central government to provide shelter for homeless people. They face an annual funding shortfall of tens of millions of euros.
The four major cities and the G40 Cities Network raised the issue in a letter to the House of Representatives. They are calling on the government to provide at least €100 million in extra funding each year.
The House of Representatives will debate possible solutions to homelessness on Wednesday.
“Homelessness has been a growing problem for years,” the Municipality of The Hague writes. However, “the contribution to solving it has not grown accordingly.”
Municipalities have a statutory duty to provide shelter for homeless people.
“The most important solution to homelessness is a home,” according to The Hague. However, plans to provide more housing will take years to deliver results. Until then, municipalities say they need additional financial support to ensure enough shelter is available.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
