The Hague converts former bank building into free shelter for homeless families

The owner of a former ABN AMRO building on Statenlaan 46 in The Hague has made a floor available at no charge for a new municipal shelter. After renovation the space will accommodate up to 30 people, allowing the city to house homeless families of five or more members without resorting to costly hotel rooms. The municipality aims to place families in the shelter for the next five years, responding to a rise in homeless households – 860 families applied for help in 2024, double the previous year, while only 225 could be placed. By using the free premises the city expects to save around €400 000 compared with hotel accommodation, and to provide a more stable living environment for the families.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand shelter capacity for vulnerable households, complementing other planned sites such as a former hospital building on Sportlaan. Local officials praised the private contribution, noting its social and potential fiscal benefits.