A number of municipalities and housing corporations in Friesland want to move people who present a “nuisance” into housing units on the outskirts of towns.
Translation by Traci White
Omrop Fryslân reports that there are already plans to set up ten or so container housing units somewhere in the province at some point later this year, and the municipalities can decide for themselves where to place them.
The housing units are supposed to provide a secure place for men and women who have otherwise fallen through the cracks in society or can no longer live in their current home for various reasons.
The project is being led by Evert Boomsma from Sociaal Domein Friesland (Social Policy Friesland). “It’s not just about people who cause a nuisance on the streets. There are people in Friesland who have nowhere to live, or are unable to live in normal accommodations for environmental or mental reasons.”
Similar units are used in the Netherlands in Hilversum, Tilburg and Rotterdam. Boomsma says that the participating provinces are pleased with the results, but a resident in one of the units told RTV Rijnmond that living in the accommodations can feel a bit like being in detention. “It’s tough. It can feel oppressive at times. I wouldn’t go so far as to compare it to a prison, but your comings and goings are monitored.”
Photo source: Screenshot from Omrop Fryslân