paroolAug 31, 2026, 16:39

Amsterdam cleared seventy tents and encampments last year, five times as many as in 2023

In 2025, Amsterdam authorities cleared seventy tents and homeless encampments, a significant increase from previous years. Mayor Femke Halsema has requested national government intervention to address the rising homelessness and public safety concerns, noting that the city lacks the resources to resolve these systemic issues alone.

The municipality of Amsterdam cleared seventy tents and encampments last year, marking a fivefold increase compared to 2023. Officials note that these encampments, which are frequently located near railway lines and highways, often require a formal three-week legal process to vacate, as they are classified as dwellings. Authorities report that roughly 80 percent of the individuals living in these conditions are displaced EU citizens, primarily from Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria, though the demographics are becoming increasingly diverse.

Mayor Femke Halsema has expressed urgent concern regarding the rising number of homeless individuals and associated issues like crack use, which are impacting the city's quality of life. With thousands of individuals causing public nuisance and a significant portion of the homeless population slipping through national support systems, Halsema is calling on the central government for assistance. She emphasized that the city cannot manage these issues alone and advocated for stronger protections for migrant workers to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place.

Politics World

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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