Childcare Piggy Bank
On September 1 of this year, the current shelter for unaccompanied minors in the Akert neighborhood will close. These are young people under the age of 18 who have come to the Netherlands without their parents (also known as AMVs).
The municipal council, in collaboration with the COA, has explored options for providing these young people with long-term, appropriate housing in the municipality. Unfortunately, no suitable location has been found in the municipality that can be used for an extended period.
Spaarpot previously served as a shelter
Establishing high-quality, permanent childcare takes time. The municipal executive therefore plans to set up temporary childcare on the vacant lot next to Spaarpot 135 for a maximum of three years, until a permanent location is found. This site was also used for temporary emergency childcare in 2024.
Participation and Decision-Making
We have invited local residents to a meeting to explain our plans to have these young people live here. The municipal executive’s proposal will be discussed at the General Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, April 9. You are also welcome to speak at that meeting. More information is available on the Meetings webpage. The city council will vote on the proposal on Monday, April 20.
In addition to the municipal process, the COA must also conduct several assessments to determine whether the location is suitable as a temporary shelter. If the location is suitable and the municipality gives its approval, the temporary shelter can be established.
Location, supervision, and management of the shelter
The COA is responsible for the day-to-day care and support of the young people and is on site 24 hours a day. In addition, Nidos serves as the guardian for the young people and collaborates with organizations such as Humanitas, the Dutch Council for Refugees, and the municipality.
Social and inclusive goals
Geldrop-Mierlo is a socially conscious municipality committed to fostering an inclusive society. We believe it is important for young people to feel welcome, to integrate, and to participate. By promoting language skills, daily structure, participation, and engagement with the community, they build a sense of purpose, stability, and social integration.
Statutory duty (Distribution Act)
Under the Distribution Act, municipalities are required to help ensure a fair distribution of shelter spaces. Through both temporary and permanent shelter facilities, we take great care to fulfill this responsibility.
Still have questions?
We understand that you may have questions about issues such as safety, quality of life, and the impact on the neighborhood. You can contact us by calling 040 289 38 93 or byemailing opvangspaarpot@geldrop-mierlo.nl.