In order to help those without a permanent residence, seven projects have been proposed
Translated by Thomas Ansell
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, a workgroup looking to address homelessness in Friesland has presented its plans to the Gemeente Leeuwarden- and will ask for 42 new full-time positions to be created to help with the issue. The plan includes seven projects, with a combined need of 3.5 million euros to carry them out: earlier this year the Dutch government gave Friesland 3.5 million euros to help address a growing (national) homelessness problem. A total of 200 million will be released across the country to help.
In Friesland, though, more and more young people are requesting help. Homeless young people say that it is difficult to find housing, and that requests for assistance are too complex.
“We’ve looked at what young people need”, says Lara de Bruin, of the homeless shelter Zienn in Leeuwarden. Zienn was part of the working group, along with the Salvation Army, Limor, and other local organisations.
One of the projects that is likely to go ahead is ‘Skilss in de Stad’, says De Bruin. “It should take the form of a one-stop-shop; a physical location where young people (18-35) with complex problems can access assistance. Help for them is split across various organisations, and we want to bring everything together”, she says. The one-stop-shop could include living space, access to education, work schemes; and training.
The current amount of money would cover 9 full-time positions for the ‘Skilss in de Stad’ project alone. Other projects suggested include co-ordinators to help with ‘first step’ housing (3 full-time positions), a housing outreach team (7 full-time positions), regional teams for intensive training (7 full-time positions); an ‘intervention network’, and more.
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