Neighborhood protest in Sloten against shelter, but decision is final: "Duty to provide these people a place"

Dozens of residents from the Sloten neighborhood in Amsterdam staged a protest yesterday against the establishment of a new residential care facility on Ditlaar. Approximately 180 neighbors gathered to express their opposition to the planned relocation of 39 individuals who require 24-hour support for psychological issues. These residents are being moved from a larger complex on Jan Rebelstraat as part of a municipal strategy to transition toward smaller, decentralized care facilities across the city. The protest concluded at a public meeting held at a local hockey club.

During the meeting, Alderman Zita Pels informed the attendees that the decision to use the former Greenstay hotel site is final. Residents argued that their neighborhood is already disproportionately impacted, as it currently hosts six other care facilities. However, the city maintained that the new location is suitable because the individuals involved do not exhibit unsafe behavior and deserve a place within the community. The municipality plans to open several other similar sites in the coming year to distribute support services more evenly throughout Amsterdam.