Dutch towns clash with asylum agency over new centre sites

The municipality of Amstelveen rejected the Central Asylum Seeker Accommodation Agency’s (COA) decision to abandon plans for an asylum seeker centre on the future Amstelveen‑Zuid industrial area. The council argued that traffic‑access issues cited by COA are not supported by facts, noting that the site had previously passed a COA feasibility study and a business case approved by the Ministry of Asylum and Migration for use from 1 July 2025. Amstelveen’s asylum affairs councillor Saloua Chaara said, “We are surprised about this step of the COA,” and the municipality has informed the ministry and seeks to resume preparations.

In the neighbouring city of Amersfoort, the municipal executive is drafting criteria for locating new long‑term asylum‑seeker facilities, as many temporary places will be phased out in the coming years. Over 5,000 residents, businesses and stakeholders have been consulted, and the draft framework will be published for public comment before a council decision expected in September‑October 2026.