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Municipality expects more homeless people in winter shelters this year: significantly more beds available

Municipality expects more homeless people in winter shelters this year: significantly more beds available

The municipality of Amsterdam has expanded its winter shelter capacity to 760 beds to accommodate an expected increase in the number of homeless people. Officials are also prepared to activate additional emergency beds during periods of extreme cold to ensure no one is forced to sleep outside.

The municipality of Amsterdam has increased its capacity for winter homeless shelters, making 760 beds available this year compared to the 500 initial spots provided last winter. Alderman Zita Pels stated that the city is well-prepared for an anticipated rise in homelessness, noting that additional measures will be implemented if needed to prevent anyone from having to sleep outdoors. In cases of extreme cold, the winter cold regulation will be activated, adding another 440 beds to the system.

This year's proactive planning follows last winter, when the city was forced to scale up its initial capacity to 621 beds to accommodate higher than expected demand. While officials acknowledge that many individuals experiencing homelessness remain invisible—often staying with acquaintances or in makeshift spaces—these new measures are specifically designed to address the needs of those currently sleeping on the streets. The city remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and deploying further resources to ensure safe lodging for those in need.

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

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