Harderwijk and Haarlem pressure COA over Dutch asylum centre capacity

The municipality of Harderwijk warned the Central Agency for Asylum Seekers (COA) that if the large centre housing about 800 people is not closed within three months, it will impose a daily penalty of €91,000, which could total up to €8.19 million. Mayor Jeroen Joon and the council said the COA had ample time to find alternative accommodation and cited similar fines previously applied in Ter Apel, Epe and Hardenberg.

In Haarlem, Mayor Jos Wienen announced that the city will accelerate the intake of 30 status‑holders already linked to Haarlem. The newcomers will stay temporarily in a hotel until permanent housing becomes available, relieving pressure on the over‑crowded registration centre in Ter Apel. The COA will organise and fund this temporary accommodation, in line with the national spread‑law requirements.