It's getting colder. On the streets you see winter coats and the first gloves again. Inside, the heaters are turning on. For our homeless visitors, staying warm and especially sleeping outside is becoming increasingly difficult. In the winter months there is even a danger of hypothermia. That's why we open the winter shelter (WO) on December 1. And if it gets even colder, we slide in more beds. This is called Winter Colder Arrangement (WKR).
Register for winter shelter (WO)
This year (winter 2023/2024) the winter shelter is only available for the vulnerable, homeless people who have ties to Amsterdam. For example, through work or family in Amsterdam. Vulnerable, undocumented people can also apply to the winter shelter.
The winter shelter opens on December 1 and closes again on April 1, 2024. If you want to sleep there you must register in advance at the GGD at Jan van Galenstraat 323, entrance B. (Screening Desk Special Target Groups - Monday to Friday between 14.00-16.00).
At the Jan van Galenstraat, a GGD worker decides whether you are welcome at the winter shelter. The GGD worker will also tell you which address you can go to. There are several winter shelters in the city.
Winter cold weather regulations (WKR).
On Nov. 27, winter cold weather (WKR) begins. So this is different from the winter shelter (WO). The WKR is a temporary night shelter for anyone sleeping outside in Amsterdam. The WKR goes into effect when the wind chill at night is below zero. But also when there is extreme wind (code red) making it dangerous to sleep outside.
Also for this you must report to the GGD at the Jan van Galenstraat 323 B. (Screening Desk Special Target Groups - Monday to Friday between 14.00-16.00). It is also possible that someone from Veldwerk or another social worker asks you to come along. That social worker will then tell you which WKR place to go to.
Bed, shower and food
The winter shelter and the winter cold weather shelter are open between 4:30 and 9:30 pm. You can shower there, and we have a bed and food for you. During the day, the shelters are closed. You can then go to a drop-in center of De Regenboog Groep, for example.
Also shelter for dog
There is also overnight shelter for your dog. Dogs are taken care of at Dierenopvang Amsterdam (DOA). The animal ambulance will transport your dog between the Animal Shelter and the night shelter.
De Regenboog Groep
De Regenboog Groep has a Winter Shelter (WO) on Slotermeerlaan with 60 beds. If the wind chill drops below 0℃, 82 beds will be added through the Winter Chill Regulation (WKR).
In the drop-in centers, De Regenboog Groep has an additional 30 WO beds and 70 WKR beds when it gets really barren outside. You'll see a WKR flag flying at our drop-in houses when the scheme is in effect. The open houses that are participating are:
- AMOC (South)
- AMOC (West)
- Blaka Watra
- Derde Schinkel
- Makom
- Oud West
- Princehof
- Spreekbuis
- Zeeburg
In all of Amsterdam there are 250 WO and another 250 WKR beds, so we account for 90 WO and 152 WKR beds.