Permanent reception of refugees

The municipal council of Geldrop-Mierlo chooses to organize permanent and appropriate reception for refugees to ensure that the demand for reception places can be sufficiently met. The city council also considers it important that the reception takes place in a humane manner and is organized in a socially responsible manner for the environment.

In principle, a shelter is set up for the benefit of one target group so that it can be tailored to the specific characteristics of and regulations for that target group.

Customization in the allocation of accommodation spaces is also chosen to prioritize families, vulnerable people and those with medical needs. The hotel and accommodation scheme will not be used for any of the target groups.

Input from community

For the creation of this policy framework, residents, business owners and cooperation partners were asked to contribute their thoughts on the policy choices to be made. 683 residents completed the questionnaire. This number, together with the weighting on the variables age and gender, ensures that the results of the research are representative of all inhabitants of Geldrop-Mierlo.

As soon as the municipality has a possible location in mind for a reception location, the surrounding area is consulted, both physically and digitally. When a location is earmarked as a reception location, the local community is given the opportunity to advise on solving bottlenecks, suggesting ideas and developing plans. This contributes to increasing public support for the task of refugees, experience with other reception locations in Geldrop-Mierlo shows.

Do you live in an area where a shelter is being considered? We will inform you personally. You can also participate in an advisory survey about the location in which you can share your concerns, ideas and bottlenecks. If you are a direct neighbour, you can participate in an environmental consultation.

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Outcomes participation process

View the results of the participation process among residents, business owners and collaborative partners:

Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to frequently asked questions. This list may be expanded.

What is a framework?

In a framework, the government describes the frameworks within which policies apply. It is a proposal in which policy is explained and argued in outline. This framework articulates to the city council how the college thinks about permanent refugee reception. It is a plan in pencil, about which the City Council is asked for direction.

Why is municipality considering permanent refugee reception

The problems in receiving refugees are so acute that municipalities must step forward to support them. It is assumed that the need to accommodate refugees in municipalities will remain in the coming years. This means that reception must be organized for a longer duration. This is a reason for the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo to establish a framework for this, in order to then structurally embed the reception in administrative and official processes.

We also feel called to contribute from a human point of view. As we did before for refugees from Ukraine and at the temporary municipal reception that took place at the Spaarpot in 2024. When it comes to housing status holders, each municipality has a statutory target from the state every six months that must be met.

What form of permanent shelter are we talking about?

The refugee reception framework focuses on four forms of reception:

the emergency accommodation of Ukrainian refugees
the reception of asylum seekers
the reception of unaccompanied foreign minors (unaccompanied minors)
the intermediate facilities for status holders

There are interfaces with the housing of migrant workers and the permanent housing of status holders. However, these are not forms of reception and therefore these topics do not fall within this framework.

About 150 structural shelters are sought, depending on the above target groups. This number is based on the task as of January 1, 2025 and expectations for the period thereafter. The two-year period is proposed because the finite nature of the Temporary Protection Directive is taken into account.

Reception locations for asylum seekers will in principle be established for a period of at least ten years and a maximum of fifteen years (counting from January 1, 2025). For unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, structural reception locations will in principle be established for a period of a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years (counting from January 1, 2025).

An intermediate facility for status holders is set up structurally for preferably a period of at least ten and no more than fifteen years. There are currently no intermediate facilities in Geldrop-Mierlo. However, it is desirable to set these up. After all, it is better for both the status holders and the municipality if they leave the AZC as soon as possible, so that they can start the integration process and start working.

The new administration wants to repeal the Spread Law, so why push this through anyway?

At this time, it is impossible to say if and when the Spreads Act will be repealed. Until this law is repealed, we will assume the existing laws and regulations. If the Spreading Act is repealed or changes then the council will have to reconsider what the intentions are and adjust the policy framework accordingly.

Has a decision on a location already been made?

No. Only after adoption of frameworks by the City Council can the locations be considered appropriate to the choices the City Council makes in them. The college implements the framework and is authorized to make choices that fall within the framework. If it is estimated that choices will have a major social, financial or organizational impact, the council will be notified or consulted.

What does it mean for the current refugee reception site?

Current shelters for Ukrainians are not structural in nature. Since Ukrainian refugees will stay permanently in emergency shelters for the duration of Directive Temporary Protection, structural availability is desirable. This is important for the people accommodated, for effective environmental management and for the efficient organization of the reception sites.

In Geldrop-Mierlo, COA has already had a location for unaccompanied minor aliens (unaccompanied minors) in former residential care center Akert since the end of October 2023. These are young people between the ages of 14 and 18, including from countries such as Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan (not Ukraine) who arrived in the Netherlands without parents or other supervisors to apply for asylum. The reception of this group is going well. Agreements have been made with Anna Zorggroep about the availability of the location. Therefore, in consultation with COA, we will look for another suitable location for 60 young refugees for the duration of 5 years.

Where will the reception sites for asylum seekers for 10 years be located?

This is not yet known. We will search for a suitable small-scale location for the duration of 10 years in consultation with COA. After consultative research, we will submit this location to the City Council. Immediately after a decision on a location, local residents and stakeholders will be informed.

What about the plans for a larger shelter in Geldrop-Mierlo?

The city council chooses to organize appropriate reception for refugees in Geldrop-Mierlo. For the location(s) the best possible place will be sought. Both several small-scale and a larger reception location are possible if they fit within the framework refugee reception. In addition, the municipality finds it important that the reception takes place in a humane manner and that reception is organized in a socially responsible manner for the environment.

Can I object to the reception of refugees in Geldrop-Mierlo?

The reception of refugees will most likely require an environmental permit for temporary deviation from the zoning plan. The moment the permit is granted, that decision will be announced. Within six weeks of that announcement, interested parties may file a notice of objection with the municipality.

Immediately after the decision, we first inform local residents and stakeholders and then disseminate the information through our other channels. We think contact with local residents and other stakeholders is important. We do what we can to ensure that the reception is as pleasant as possible for everyone: for both the refugees and the area surrounding the reception.

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