Rotterdam will keep its winter shelter for homeless people open every day from 1 November to 1 April, rather than only on nights when it is close to freezing. The location in Overschie has room for 220 people. The city calls the change a big step in its approach to homelessness, because people no longer have to wait for frost to get a fixed place to sleep.
What changes
Until now, the winter shelter opened only when the perceived temperature outside approached freezing. This winter it stays open for five months, also when it does not freeze. The municipality wants people to be able to stay longer in one place. Opening hours are also longer: in previous winters the location was open from 18.00 to 09.00, while from November people can come from 16.00 to 11.00. Visitors get an evening meal and breakfast.
Who it is for and how it works
| Group | Places |
|---|---|
| Homeless people | 150 |
| Labour migrants from the European Union | 50 |
| People waiting for housing via Centraal Onthaal | 20 |
| Total | 220 |
Centraal Onthaal is the municipal registration point for homeless people. Social workers and medical staff are present at the shelter. In an intake conversation they discuss each person’s situation and what help is needed, for example shelter, care, income or support with other problems. The Nico Adriaans Stichting (NAS), a care organisation for vulnerable Rotterdam residents, runs the shelter and also transports homeless people to it. Information about pick-up points and transport will be shared via the city website and organisations in contact with homeless people.
Frost and the wider plan
Every night 200 to 300 people sleep outside in Rotterdam. Alderman Astrid Kockelkoren does not expect all of them to come to the winter shelter; if it freezes, the municipality will expand basic shelter. Homelessness was one of the most important themes in the municipal elections last March. The plan was signed by coalition parties Pro, D66, VVD, CDA and Volt, and by opposition parties PvdD, CU, SP and Bij1. It belongs to the city agreement on homelessness, which has 11 points to reduce the number of homeless people. According to the 2027 budget presented by the city executive, more shelter places are also coming for families and young people, and Room First, which gives people living on the street the key to their own place, is being expanded.