Who is eligible for a trailer park site? Geldrop-Mierlo is working on new, clear rules

Geldrop-Mierlo has five trailer park sites: one in Geldrop and four in Mierlo. When a spot becomes available, the process for determining who can move in is not currently the same everywhere. In Mierlo, there is a waiting list. In Geldrop, the residents of the site have a significant say in the selection of a new resident. This is called co-optation.

Pros and Cons

Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a waiting list takes little account of family ties. With co-optation, it is not always clear which rules apply when selecting a new resident. This can lead to uncertainty. Alderman Fiona Bijl: “A travel trailer site isn’t just any place where you set up a home. For many travel trailer residents, family, traditions, and living together with other family members are very important. At the same time, it must be clear to everyone how to qualify for a site. We want to reconcile those two things. That is precisely the challenge we now face.”

One Clear Way of Working

The municipality therefore wants to establish a single set of rules for all five locations so that residents understand which rules apply, what role family ties play, and why someone may or may not be eligible. The lot is owned by the municipality or a housing authority. The mobile home is owned by the resident. Consequently, a new tenant of the lot does not automatically become the owner of the mobile home.

Residents Contribute Their Ideas

The municipality is developing the new rules in collaboration with trailer park residents. Since early 2026, the advisory group—comprising representatives from all five trailer park sites—has been working on the allocation policy. This group meets approximately every six weeks. Among other things, the municipality is using the rules that the housing authority Wooninc. applies in other locations as the basis for the new policy. Wooninc. has explained these rules to the advisory group. Various questions arose during the discussions. According to the municipality, this is important. The new rules must not only be clear on paper but also work well in practice.

“We can’t get this policy right from City Hall alone. Residents know better than anyone what certain rules mean in practice. That’s why we want to take their experiences and concerns into account. We don’t expect everyone to agree on every rule. But we do want to make sure we listen to one another and that it’s clear why we make certain choices,” emphasizes Alderman Bijl.

Answers to Important Questions First

An important issue is what happens when a tenant of a campsite passes away. For example: Can a family member rent the campsite afterward? And what Requirements must someone meet in that case? There are also legal questions regarding the mobile home itself. That is why the municipality has asked a notary to explain these matters to the focus group. “These aren’t questions we can just answer on our own,” says Alderman Bijl. “We want to be certain that the rules are legally sound and that residents understand what they mean for their specific situations. The consequences can be significant, especially in situations involving death and family. That’s when you have to be careful.”

What's next?

In the coming period, the municipality will further develop the proposal. First, the notary will explain the legal issues. After that, the focus group will discuss the proposal again. The representatives from the five locations will then meet with their own residents. They can explain the proposal and gather feedback and questions. The municipality will use this feedback to further refine the rules. Once the proposal is finalized in terms of both content and legal aspects, it will be formalized.

“We understand that residents want clarity as soon as possible. But this is a policy that could have consequences for people and families for years to come. That’s why we’d rather take a little more time to get it right. Ultimately, our goal is simple: clear rules that let residents know where they stand and that, at the same time, do justice to the trailer culture,” Bijl emphasizes.