Regio Holland Rijnland eases social housing registration rules

The Regio Holland Rijnland regional partnership has decided to relax new rules regarding social housing registration following widespread criticism. Under the strict regulations introduced on September 1, housing seekers who failed to pay an annual registration fee of 7.50 euros faced immediate deregistration, which resulted in the loss of their accumulated registration seniority.

In response to backlash from local councils in Leiden and Noordwijk, as well as a petition signed by over 1,200 people, the Daily Board has implemented a six-month grace period. Instead of immediate deregistration, individuals who miss the payment will now be provisionally deregistered and given six months to settle the fee.

Officials noted that since the implementation of the stricter rules, no one has been permanently deregistered or lost their accumulated registration time. Local politicians, including representatives from the SP party, expressed that the change provides much-needed security for vulnerable groups and those in social shelters who may struggle with timely payments.