Churches urged to house refugees with residence permits for three months
The asylum minister visited the Apeldoorn congregation on Wednesday as churches across the country answer a call to house refugees granted a residence permit (statushouders) for three months.
Asylum minister Bart van den Brink visited a congregation of the PKN church in Apeldoorn on Wednesday. It is taking in status holders. The congregation, De Hofstad, has made its empty vicarage available, and a family with three children will move in.
Last week 19 Christian churches and organisations, including the Roman Catholic Church, the PKN and the Dutch Reformed Churches (NGK), called on local churches to house refugees with residence permits for three months, under the name Actie Onderdak.
Van den Brink welcomed the help. "It is extremely welcome right now. This help from the churches can make an enormous difference," he said. He hopes other social organisations will also join in.
Ad Heij of the church council said leaving the house empty was not an option. "These are people who will become future Apeldoorners. This way they can get used to their new surroundings," he said.
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PKN (Protestantse Kerk in Nederland)
The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is a Protestant church that brings together Reformed and Lutheran congregations across the country. Each local congregation, such as De Hofstad in Apeldoorn, runs its own parish life and manages its own buildings and property, including any vicarage (pastorie). Congregations are often involved in local social work, such as helping newcomers and refugees.
statushouders
Statushouders are asylum seekers whose application for protection has been approved and who have been granted a residence permit in the Netherlands. Once they have this status, they can stay in the country and are expected to take part in the civic integration process (inburgering), and municipalities are responsible for helping them find housing.