Keijzer continues ban on priority for status holders in social housing, despite criticism

Minister of Housing Mona Keijzer (BBB) ​​is submitting the bill to the House of Representatives as soon as possible, banning priority for status holders in social housing. She made this statement after the Council of State advised her on Monday not to submit the bill.

The caretaker minister will issue a more detailed response to the criticism from the top legislative advisor later. It's unclear whether she will amend her bill. Before it can be submitted to Parliament, it must be reviewed by the Council of Ministers again. Keijzer's response is therefore anticipating a cabinet decision. "The goal is to send the bill to the House of Representatives," says her spokesperson.

The bill that abolishes housing priority for refugees who are allowed to remain in the Netherlands violates the prohibition of discrimination in Article 1 of the Constitution, according to the Council of State. The Council notes that refugees with residence permits have more difficulty finding housing than other home seekers. Priority access to social housing compensates for this disadvantage.

Only when the starting position of status holders is comparable to that of others and has thus been "normalized" will their priority for rental housing be revoked, according to the Council of State. This is "not realistic" in the short term, despite steps already being taken by the government.

In her initial response, Keijzer does not address this criticism from the Council of State. "It is crucial to normalize the position of refugees with refugee status," she says. "Ultimately, they must find housing in the same way as everyone else in the Netherlands. It is no longer justifiable that they are given priority over other home seekers."

According to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), an average of 6 to 10 percent of available social housing units go to status holders.

ANP