Headline:
Oekraïners in Nederlandse opvang gaan meer betalen voor onderdak en kosten
Subheadline:
Oekraïense vluchtelingen vrees profitassen maar begrijpen periode van gratis opvang is voorbij
Article:
Starting from New Year’s Day, Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are no longer entitled to automatic free municipal housing. Those with an income must now contribute to their accommodation and living expenses. While some refugees understand the need for this change, others worry about the potential financial burden it may impose.
A Ukrainian woman who fled the city of Mariupol expressed her understanding of the new policy. "We use electricity, water, and want to be part of Dutch society," she said, adding that she didn’t find the requirement to contribute unreasonable.
The woman, along with her husband and two children, has been living in a municipal shelter in Vlaardingen for about a year and a half. While she believes the asked amount is affordable for working people, she fears that not everyone will be able to manage it.
Financial Strains for Ukrainian Refugees
Research conducted by the Hogeschool Inholland has revealed that financial struggles are not limited to unemployed Ukrainian refugees. Of the 187 Ukrainian refugees surveyed, 20% live below the poverty line, and one-third spend more than they earn, despite having income from work or living allowances. Single-parent Ukrainian families are particularly vulnerable, according to the study.
Martin Blaakman, a lecturer at Hogeschool Inholland, noted, "For many families, it’s a struggle to make ends meet, which can also impact their integration into society."
About 32% of Ukrainian households face financial difficulties, compared to 17% of Dutch households, according to a 2022 report by the Dutch Research and Documentation Center (WODC) based on CBS statistics. Currently, around 90,000 Ukrainians live in municipal shelters, and nearly half of them are employed.
New Costs for Ukrainian Refugees
Working Ukrainian refugees in municipal shelters will now have to pay for their accommodation and utilities. The monthly charges are approximately €100 per adult for gas, water, and electricity, and up to €242 for food if meals are prepared on-site. Municipalities are not obligated to charging working refugees if their income falls below a certain threshold.
Blaakman urged municipalities to consider the challenged position of Ukrainian refugees when determining their contributions. "While working Ukrainians may be able to afford these contributions, it overlooks the vulnerabilities of this group," he said.
In Vlaardingen, the local authority will follow national guidelines, but the local manager stated that individual cases would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
