Heads up on housing migrant workers

Noordwijkerhout, Feb. 8, 2019 - The Housing Migrant Workers Conference on Feb. 7 expressed how urgent the demand for housing for migrant workers is. This year, the shortage of 100,000 housing places will grow to 120,000 to 150,000 places, estimate Foundation Normering Flexwonen, a quality mark for temporary housing, and Expertise Center Flexwonen.

Housing shortage

For some time now, employment agencies and employers have been sounding the alarm because of the increasing shortage of proper housing for immigrant workers. Tightness in the Dutch labor market makes employers in need of workers from other European countries. However, the increasing lack of good housing makes it difficult to attract these workers.

Practice

Many municipalities to date have been reluctant to address this problem. This reluctance is mainly shaped by the fear of nuisance from housing migrants.

Yet in practice, the provision of housing in the form of housing complexes for migrant workers appears to remedy this problem in every way. The complexes prevent employers from being forced to house their workers privately, preventing further tightness in the housing market.

In addition, practice shows that housing with the SNF-quality mark produces a satisfied work force. The underlying idea is that good housing actually prevents nuisance. "A safe home makes you happier, more productive and more pleasant company," says Nico Geerlings, director of staffing organization Flexible Human Services.

Heads up

This is why Nico Geerlings encourages local politicians not to hide behind a fog of policy-making, but to think in terms of solutions. With creative thinking, both temporary and permanent housing locations can be realized. "Think of locations where there will be housing or industrial zones in the future, or vacant offices located on the border between residential and commercial areas. Such offices can be converted to housing for migrant workers. I am happy to assist the local government in the search for solutions."

Case study

The Trampoline is a practical example of a residential location with SNF-quality mark. Opened in 2016, Flexbile Human Services' housing complex provides housing for 144 migrant workers in two-person studios. The studios are equipped with their own kitchenette and bathroom. The grounds offer ample parking, a large bicycle shed and a sports field. The manager of Trampoline lives on site and is a 24/7 point of contact for residents and the surrounding area. More great practice examples can be found at http://flexwonen.nl/praktijkvoorbeelden/.