In Amsterdam there is not enough sheltered housing or social care for everyone who needs it. As a result, several hundred people are on a waiting list. Meanwhile, many of them are already receiving primary care. But not everyone yet, and that has to change.
On the waiting list for shelter are vulnerable people: often they have psychological problems, an addiction, a mental disability and debts. Many people on the waiting list are homeless. There are also homeless people who are not on the waiting list for shelter because they have been assessed as self-reliant by the GGD. They could, if they had housing, live independently.
No flow
The waiting lists are growing because few residents in the shelter move on to housing of their own. There are too few houses available for that. As a result, few shelter spaces are becoming available for people on the waiting list.
Aid while waiting
Those on the waiting list are not yet finding a new home, but are already getting help. Shelter organizations, for example, help arrange debt settlement and medical care. It is of course easier to solve problems if you have a permanent place in a shelter or sheltered housing. But if you are still on the waiting list, support provides some relief anyway. This is called "waiting list support."
Waitlist counseling
.Because there are more people on the waiting list than shelters can accommodate, not everyone now gets this waiting list assistance. In other words, there is a "waiting list for the waiting list. For this group of waiting people, The Rainbow Group is starting additional counseling.
Helping those who don't get help
.Waiting for a place on a waiting list can feel hopeless. We understand that it makes you despondent. The Rainbow Group cannot solve the housing shortage, but we see the suffering of homeless people on the streets, in our drop-in centers and during conversations with social workers. That is why we are offering help from now on to those people who are entitled to help but are not yet getting it.
Collective waiting list counseling
Under the name "collective waiting list counseling," we work with other organizations. We seek out vulnerable people. We talk to them and offer help. So just when there is not yet a shelter place, you have come to the right place.
Come along
.Are you approved by the GGD (central access on the Jan van Galenstraat) for Protected Residence (BV) or Supervised Home Stay (BT) and are you waiting for a place? Then come to one of our drop-in centers for waiting list counseling:
- Every Tuesday from 11:00 to 18:00 at drop-in center Oud West, Bilderdijkstraat 182.
- Every Wednesday from 09:30 to 16:30 at inloophuis Zeeburg, Zeeburgerdijk 53.
Not vulnerable, do help
Does the GGD say you are self-reliant and do not have an indication for protected residence or assisted living at home (BV/BT)? Then you fall under the group of 'economically homeless'. Even then we are happy to help you. We support you with income or benefits, ID, registration with WoningNet and assessing your chances of finding housing in and outside Amsterdam. Then call the office service of STED (Urban Team Economically Homeless):
.- 06 14 65 44 37 weekdays between 9:00 and 12:00