Among the reasons for the measures: riots in Stek Oost earlier this year. 250 youth and young status holders live together in this shared housing complex in Watergraafsmeer, but this has resulted in social insecurity. In a year and a half, residents filed twenty complaints, including a series of very serious crimes.
Aldermen Rutger Groot Wassink (Reception) and Zita Pels (Public Construction) say the intensity and impact of the accidents is great and therefore measures for a safer living environment are needed. This should ensure that both Dutch youth and status holders feel more secure.
The most far-reaching measure is that the composition of residents is changed. At the moment the distribution is still proportional: fifty percent status holders, fifty percent young Dutch people in each housing estate. In future, fewer status holders and younger people will have to come to live, so that the first group receives better support and more treatment. The expected effect is that this will result in fewer accidents.
The housing associations have wanted this for a long time
It’s not yet clear what the exact ratio will be, but aldermen are following the advice of researchers and housing associations. Researchers recommend a split of two-thirds or even three-quarters of the Dutch in settlements with more than fifty residents. The idea is that the vulnerable can then approach the non-vulnerable more easily.
In the aforementioned Stek Oost residential complex, female residents spoke of stalking, sexually transgressive behavior and on-the-spot violence. In September 2021, a group of residents sent a request for help to the Stadgenoot company. At the time, like other housing associations, it also indicated that the relationships needed to be changed. So now they seem to be right about that. Council says it is looking into the distribution in consultation with property companies.
Other measures envisaged: status holders from the same country will be placed together less often to ensure a “mixed composition” and status holders who cannot live independently will be placed in a place where additional support is possible. There will also be more psychosocial support and status holders will have contact persons who know their language and culture. They must be a sounding board that creates a sense of security and stability.
Less rosy
The first mixed housing development was opened in 2016, Starting block Riekerhaven. Then councilor Laurens Ivens (Housing) said she would prepare young people for “real life” and help those with status find their way into Amsterdam society. The board was also enthusiastic at the time.
In 2022, Amsterdam will have fifteen such types of housing developments in various districts, where a total of 1300 Dutch status holders and young people will live. But in the meantime, things seem to be less rosy than the municipality imagined. Many permit holders have to deal with trauma and this affects where they live.
Recent example is the fire in Riekerhaven a week and a half ago. Police are still investigating the incident, but according to several residents the 27-year-old suspect have psychological problems. He would be a status holder, even if the police don’t want to confirm it. More than 130 people had to leave their homes due to the fire.
New mixed housing
Research shows that it certainly doesn’t always go badly, the councilors write. It works particularly well in small residential groups. For example, in De Alliantie’s Baak Zuid on the Rijnstraat, 33 residents live together, seemingly without problems. The residents of the complex also vacationed together during the summer.
In larger housing estates, residents also experience a positive mixed life, but this comes under “serious pressure” in the event of accidents. New mixed venues will therefore be opened in the coming years, the councilors write, also to counter the housing emergency.
