Headline: Dutch Minister Ordered to Continue Housing 22 Migrants in Rotterdam Despite Phase-out Plan
Subhead: Rejecting Minister Faber‘s arguments, a Dutch judge ruled that the interests of the migrants, some with mental or physical health issues, outweigh those of the minister.
Article:
The Dutch government has been ordered to continue providing temporary housing to 22 migrants in Rotterdam, even after the planned phase-out of the so-called "bed, bath, bread" (BBB) scheme on January 1st. This decision was made by a court in The Hague, which prioritized the well-being of the migrants over the minister’s plans.
The BBB scheme, which provides food, accommodation, and hygiene facilities to prevent migrants from living on the streets, is set to end in Rotterdam next year. However, 22 migrants currently housed in the city’s facilities opposed this move, stating they have nowhere else to go and face potential homelessness.
In its ruling, the court recognized the migrants’ fragile mental and physical health and the uncertainty of alternative accommodations. Minister Faber of Asylum and Migration argued that the decision is temporary and that the government is committed to finding alternative solutions.
This ruling comes amid a broader controversy surrounding the BBB scheme, which Minister Faber plans to phase out nationwide by the end of 2025. Some municipalities, like Groningen and Amsterdam, have vowed to continue the scheme using local funds, while others, such as Rotterdam, plan to discontinue it.
In another ongoing legal battle, a judge in Utrecht is yet to rule on a similar case affecting 100 migrants currently receiving BBB services in that city.
Originalphotos: A photo of the BBB facility in Groningen is provided, with a copyright notice for ANP.
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