Reception center for asylum seekers in Aalten
On May 6, the Municipal Executive decided to make a plot of land along the N313 provincial road (Hamelandroute), near Singelweg Aalten, available to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) for a period of ten years. The COA intends to build a temporary reception center at this location, consisting of approximately 40 homes with space for up to 300 people.
The Municipal Executive of Aalten considers it important to fulfill its social responsibility when it comes to providing shelter to asylum seekers. "In the past, the municipality of Aalten has always been generous towards people fleeing war and violence. We believe that every refugee deserves decent accommodation. At present, there is an urgent need for additional accommodation throughout the country. We see it as our moral duty to contribute to this. The council is therefore positive about the arrival of a new reception location in Aalten," said Alderman Wikkerink, who is responsible for this matter.
Site survey
In recent months, the municipality has been working with the COA to find a suitable location for a reception center for asylum seekers. The COA has assessed the location on Singelweg Aalten as suitable for development in the short term. The land is owned by the municipality and the location is conveniently situated in relation to infrastructure and amenities. Its proximity to a residential area is also a positive point. This encourages the integration of asylum seekers into the local community and enables them to build a social network.
Approach: temporary shelter within a future residential area
The shelter site is located in an area that the municipality wants to develop into a new residential area. This area will be laid out in two parts. In the first part, COA will place about 40 houses for the temporary reception of up to 300 asylum seekers. This reception will last for ten years. After that, this part of the area will be redeveloped for permanent housing. For the second part, plans are already underway for permanent, affordable housing, especially for first-time buyers. It is expected that the construction of these houses can start at about the same time as the realization of the temporary shelter. In this way, the temporary shelter fits well with the broader development of the residential area.
Follow-up process and participation
The municipality and COA will now further investigate and develop the plan for the temporary reception location. Because the municipality and COA consider support in the area important, they will involve local residents in the further development of the plan.
Information about the continuation of the development process and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.aalten.nl/opvang.
The council decides
The final decision on the realization of the reception center at the intended location in Aalten rests with the municipal council. The decision-making process is expected to start after the summer of 2025.