Maassluis municipality refuses to host asylum seekers

The municipality of Maassluis has announced it does not intend to host asylum seekers, despite obligations under the national distribution law. Local officials stated the decision serves as a signal to the central government to limit influx and for other municipalities to fulfill their responsibilities.

Maassluis has not reached any agreements with the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region regarding the distribution of asylum seekers. Currently, two boats in Maassluis house 140 asylum seekers. While this temporary housing was scheduled to end soon, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) intends to keep the vessels in use due to a national shortage of shelter space.

Neighboring Vlaardingen has also declined to host asylum seekers, citing a lack of available capacity, though it offered to explore hosting more Ukrainian refugees. Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink previously placed Vlaardingen under supervision for insufficient efforts. The minister is expected to announce which other municipalities will face similar supervision soon. In extreme cases, the minister can arrange housing independently at the municipality's expense.