Status Holders
Housing for Asylum Seekers Granted Refugee Status: How Does It Work?
A status holder is someone who has applied for asylum in the Netherlands and has been granted a residence permit. This means the IND has determined that the person has the right to remain in the Netherlands. As a result, a status holder is no longer an asylum seeker.
After receiving a residence permit, a person often remains in temporary housing for some time. After that, the goal is for the person to move into their own home and build an independent life.
The municipality's statutory duty
Every municipality in the Netherlands has a legal obligation to provide housing for status holders. Every six months, the national government determines how many status holders a municipality must house. This quota is based on the municipality’s population. Housing status holders is different from providing shelter to asylum seekers and is not covered by the Distribution Act. These are people who already have a residence permit and are allowed to remain in the Netherlands.
“Building a new life starts with a place you can call home. For status holders, it’s important that they feel welcome and have the opportunity to participate in our society. With a home of their own, support, and the space to find their way, they can build their future independently, step by step.”
A home in Geldrop-Mierlo
Geldrop-Mierlo is also assigned an annual quota for housing status holders. For the year 2026, the quota is 71 people. The municipality is working with housing authorities to meet this quota. They assign suitable public housing units to status holders.
When looking for a home, just as with other home seekers, consideration is given to what is suitable for the individual or family. Consider, for example, the size of the household and the available housing.
From Shelter to Independent Living
The transition from an asylum seeker’s center to one’s own home is a significant change. A person moves from living in a shelter to living independently and, as a result, takes on more responsibility for their own daily life. The municipality helps status holders find their way in the community and in Dutch society. Various organizations work together to achieve this. Areas of focus include income, education, employment, language, Health , and building a social network. The guiding principle is that status holders should be able to participate independently in society as quickly as possible.
What does the congregation do?
The municipality is responsible for meeting its housing targets and works in collaboration with housing authorities and other organizations to achieve this. The municipality also provides support to status holders as they settle into life in Geldrop-Mierlo.
The municipality does not determine who receives a residence permit. The IND decides on the asylum application. Once someone has been granted a residence permit, the municipality becomes responsible for providing housing and support.
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