Frequently Asked Questions

What do you guarantee for our safety? 

The safety of residents is and remains a priority. Absolute safety can never be guaranteed, just as it cannot be guaranteed in other situations (such as road safety or crime). That is why a safety plan is being drawn up in collaboration with the COA, the police, and other partners. This plan contains agreements on security, supervision, and incident handling. A reporting center will also be set up where you can report incidents 24/7.

If an AZC were to come, how would security be guaranteed? 

There will be 24/7 supervision at the location. Police, municipality and COA make agreements on cooperation, supervision and follow-up of reports outside the location. The district police officer will be involved in this. Neighbors can contribute to measures via the sounding board group. Experience at other AZCs shows that good agreements, supervision and communication ensure peace in the neighborhood.

Can safety be guaranteed? 

Complete safety can never be guaranteed, even without AZC. What is possible, however, is to manage risks as effectively as possible. That is why a safety plan is being drawn up, tailored to the situation in Aalten. This plan includes agreements on supervision, the presence of security personnel, and the follow-up of reports.

The site is directly adjacent to a young neighborhood with many children. How can safety be ensured here? 

That is precisely why additional measures are being taken. These include safe walking routes, clear information for local residents, and visible security. In addition, a reporting center for nuisance will be set up. The safety of children and vulnerable groups will receive extra attention in the safety plan.

What about safety on Estinea's own property? 

When drawing up the safety plan, surrounding areas such as that of Estinea will also be included. The municipality will discuss this with the organizations involved to make customized agreements that fit the local situation. We also take into account signals from care professionals.

Agreements on safety are recorded in a Safety Plan. Where does the municipality draw the line when agreements are not met? 

If the quality of life in the neighborhood is under pressure, if it turns out that COA does not know how to properly organize the reception and everything related to it, to name just a few examples.

What is being done and regulated around safety? 

We draw up a safety plan in advance, involving local residents (from the sounding board group). This means, for example, that we make agreements about the presence of security and, if necessary, make physical adjustments to the environment (such as additional lighting). Following up on complaints and reports of nuisance is 'normal' police work. There will be extra surveillance and the neighborhood police officer will join the sounding board group.

Will residents soon have access to the safety plan? 

The safety plan is public and will be shared with the focus group and council in due course.

If the AZC actually comes there, how will security be ensured in the area, without turning the streetscape into something that looks like a prison and does not fit into this environment? 

Safety and livability go hand in hand. Measures such as good lighting and visibility are taken, but the basic principle is that the site should not have a closed or heavily secured appearance. It must fit into the environment. The safety plan will be coordinated with the environment through the sounding board group.

Will security be arranged? Also outside the shelter grounds? This relates to safety of Estinea night shift staff who also have to go outside at night when the alarm button is pressed. 

Yes, there will be 24/7 security on the site itself. Outside the site, the municipality will work with police for additional surveillance in the area. Employees on the night shift can count on support from this security. Agreements about this will be laid down in the security plan.

Already we hardly ever see police on the streets. Will the number of police officers be increased soon? Is there a plan for this? How will any nuisances be handled? Compensation for damages? 

The police are involved in drawing up the safety plan. That plan contains agreements about extra efforts in the neighborhood. Reports of nuisance are taken seriously and followed up. Damage to personal property can, as usual, be reported to the police. Damage to municipal property is handled by the municipality. Security on the grounds is the responsibility of COA.

Where will the (extra) agents be taken from, we already hardly ever see them? 

Our basic principle is that we receive asylum seekers who want to build a new life here, and that we are happy to help them do so. Should things go differently for some of them, we will deploy extra (police) capacity.

What are the experiences with incidents and how is security arranged at the AZC in Winterswijk? 

There is a 24/7 security presence in Winterswijk. As for incidents, these are mainly incidents on the location. This year there have been 4 incidents, 3 of which required an ambulance for a medical situation, and there has been 1 time a neighborhood police officer in connection with a mutual quarrel between 3 asylum seekers. There is regular consultation with local residents about safety and nuisance.

I read that there are 89% more incidents around AZCs, is that true? 

The figures are not recognized. These may be registration locations such as Ter Apel and Budel and emergency shelters. In Aalten, the plan is to establish a regular shelter, which is really different. At a (large-scale) regular location, in addition to constant security, daytime activities and information sessions can also be organized for the residents. 
It is often also a matter of a feeling of insecurity. We would particularly like to hear from local residents about their concerns and any issues that need to be addressed in terms of safety. We will include these in the safety plan and lay them down in agreements with the COA. 

How much guidance is available from COA (number of guidance to number of asylum seekers)? 

At a regular location such as the one proposed in Aalten, the COA will ensure appropriate staffing levels. During the day, several supervisors and social workers will be present. At night, there will be three security guards on duty. The number of staff will be tailored to the size of the group (maximum 300) and will be monitored by the COA, based on experience from other asylum seekers' centers.

How many security guards will soon be present? 

At night 3 security guards because no other supervisors are present then.
During the day 1 security guard because supervisors and other staff are present.

What happens to an asylum seeker who misbehaves? 

The latter is held accountable for this in the first instance. One possible measure is transfer to another asylum center.

What punishment will asylum seekers receive if they commit a crime? 

If charges are filed, Dutch criminal law also applies to them.
Nuisances and asylum seekers who misbehave are transferred to another AZC, in order to remove them from a particular environment. And sometimes they are transferred to a special shelter with more control and supervision.
The consequence may also be that the IND withdraws the permit for serious crimes. 

What about decrease in property value (compensation)? 

Once an environmental permit has been granted for the shelter site, there is the possibility for homeowners to apply to the municipality for compensation for loss of value. This was previously referred to as plan damage.
The scheme is intended for situations in which the value of a home demonstrably decreases due to a spatial decision by the government, such as the establishment of an AZC. The request is assessed by an independent party.
There is no additional regulation or additional compensation from the municipality on top of the legal regulation. Also, compensation for decrease in value is not an issue at this time, as no permit has been granted yet.

Will the possible arrival of an AZC negatively affect the home value? (Does it even lead to unsaleability or to sale at a significantly lower value than the market value of the home) 

Concerns about this are understandable, but it is difficult to make general statements about housing value effects. These are different for each location and situation. As described in the answer to the previous question, there is a statutory scheme for compensation for loss of value if it is demonstrably caused by a government decision.

If an AZC were to be built, does the municipality have a plan to solve this financially, for example, by buying the houses in question itself in case the sale within a certain period of time (e.g. 3 months) at the 'normal' value does not succeed? And will the WOZ value also be adjusted by the municipality? 

No, the municipality does not have a supplementary scheme or buyout scheme. There is only the legal scheme for plan damage/damage compensation. The municipality does not purchase properties.
Regarding the WOZ value: it is not automatically adjusted. If you think your WOZ value is incorrect due to changed circumstances, you can object to it through the regular procedure.

To whom can I apply for compensation for decrease in the value of my property?

At the municipality. An external agency is called in to assess the difference between the old and new situation. It is then determined according to national policy whether there is a right to compensation (for example, no one is entitled to an unobstructed view from their home) and how much it is. A small percentage of the decrease in value is considered a homeowner's own risk.
Incidentally, a request cannot be made until the permit is granted.

Does the municipality, other than as required by law, provide compensation for diminished value of nearby homes? 

No, there is no provision for that now. 

What about traffic safety onSlaadreef, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists?

Traffic safety will be explicitly included in the further development of the plan. This involves looking at safe walking and cycling routes, preventing cut-through traffic and limiting undesirable walking routes. This also applies to the situation around 't Slaa, where many children play outside. Complete closure of access roads is not foreseen at this time, but measures are being considered to limit traffic congestion and nuisance.

Why so close to a residential area? There are no stores here, transportation etc. will still have to be arranged to the center. 

The expectation is that the distance is such that asylum seekers can reach it on their own by bicycle - and possibly walking. Where necessary, COA will provide mobility support.  

The location is not very close to the center of Aalten and is on a busy main road. Doesn't that create unsafe traffic situations? 

The asylum seekers will mainly walk and bike towards the center (station, stores). At the main road they will in principle not come. We also take this form of safety into account when filling in the location.

What about noise pollution at the site? Will there be a sound barrier and will it be sufficient? 

Even for this development, we simply have to and want to meet all the requirements, including those related to noise pollution. We will take that into account in the infill or take measures for that.

What is the municipality doing to improve traffic safety at pedestrian crossings, such as on Hamelandroute? 

Traffic safety is an important part of the development plan. Safe walking and biking routes to and from the shelter, clear crosswalks and any additional measures to prevent people from simply crossing the road will be considered.

Will the access road to the 't Slaa residential area be closed, including for cyclists and pedestrians? 

Completely closing the access road, including to cyclists and pedestrians, has major consequences for accessibility - including for residents themselves. Therefore, a balance is being sought between accessibility and countering inconvenience. It is not yet clear where and how many access roads there will eventually be. However, measures can be taken that discourage unwanted traffic or walking routes, without closing off the neighborhood unnecessarily. 

How can you decide this without first consulting with local residents? 

The municipality made its announcement once it was clear that the location on Singelweg was both Singelweg and available. Before that, a careful investigation was conducted to determine which locations would be possible. Communicating earlier could have led to unnecessary unrest about locations that would ultimately not be chosen. Now that there is a concrete plan, space has been created for discussions with the local community, including through meetings and a sounding board group.

Why can't we object? 

At this time, no formal decision has been made to which objection is possible. Once an environmental permit is requested, a legal procedure will follow in which interested parties can submit views. This will be published at that time, so that anyone who wishes to do so can make a formal response.

Does the Board of Mayor and Aldermen have the authority to use land designated for housing development for asylum reception? 

Yes, the college is authorized to make proposals on the use of municipal land. In this case, there is not yet an established zoning plan for residential development at this location. The college proposes to change the zoning to "residential" and then make it temporarily available for reception of asylum seekers.

How are all responses/questions collected? 

During the meetings, all questions will be noted and be online and questions can still be submitted. All questions will be collected, compiled and answered at this location on the municipal website. Input from the focus group will also be included in the process.

Will I be informed when the spatial procedure starts? 

Yes. As soon as the spatial procedure (such as an application for an environmental permit) starts, this will be published. Local residents and anyone who has signed up for the newsletter will also be informed. There is then also an opportunity to submit views.

Where is democracy in this process? 

The college has decided on the site and is submitting it as a proposal to the council;a council democratically elected by residents. The council ultimately decides. Members of the city council also attend the meetings to hear what is going on.

The council will soon give a binding opinion. Will the college abide by it? 

Yes.

Are there any opportunities to adjust the process towards the council? 

Yes. Until the City Council has issued its opinion, there is room for residents to express their views. This can be done in writing or orally, for example by speaking at a council meeting. Signals collected at the meetings or are also shared with the city council.

Has the City Council been informed of the location, plans for asylum shelter? 

Yes, the sites that were examined were shared with the council in confidence and any other suitable sites were requested. The decision for the Singel 2 site, the maximum number of asylum seekers to be received of 300 and the duration of up to 10 years was made by the college, not the council.

Why was the decision not postponed until after the municipal elections? 

The reception task is urgent and the process cannot be postponed indefinitely. Moreover, there is the dispersal law, which requires each municipality to contribute to reception by a certain date. The council now involved is democratically elected and has previously given direction to this process through motions and questions. The city council is also now expressly involved in the decision-making process.

There is an asylum crisis, is the college now ignoring all the procedures and the role of the council? 

No. The college prepares a decision and submits it to the council. The college may opt for an abbreviated procedure because it is a temporary shelter, but the college expressly does not choose that. 

The national government intends to repeal the Distribution Act. It is therefore strange that the municipality still wants to apply the Distribution Act in Aalten. Why do this now? 

The spreading law is currently still in effect and municipalities are required to comply with it. Whether and when the law will be repealed is unclear. Moreover, the college feels a social responsibility to contribute to a humane and workable reception of people in need of protection. Even without a dispersal law, shelters will continue to be needed.

Why does the municipality want to comply with the spreading law at all? 

Some 96,000 reception places for asylum seekers are needed in the Netherlands. As a municipality we want to take our social responsibility towards the refugees who ask for help in the Netherlands as well as towards the other municipalities where asylum seekers are received. Moreover: the dispersal law is still in force and is not expected to be abolished any time soon.

According to the distribution law, 157 people must be accommodated in Aalten. Eighty asylum seekers have already been housed at the Knobo. How can the difference with the number of 300 be explained? 

The Knobo location does not house asylum seekers, but Ukrainian refugees. Based on the Distribution Act, the government initially allocated 157 reception places to Aalten. They too are fleeing war, but have a different residence status and do not need to go through the asylum procedure. At the end of 2024, this number will be increased to 200 due to regional agreements. The municipality has now opted for a single stable reception location with a maximum of 300 asylum seekers, because the COA only offers full support in terms of security, daytime activities, Health guidance for numbers above that.

Why does the municipality want to host 300 asylum seekers? 

The council has chosen a location for a maximum of 300 asylum seekers because support, daytime activities, 24/7 security, and Health are available Health that location. This will address the concerns of local residents about issues such as safety, nuisance, and preventing overburdening of local Health

Commitment is 200 asylum seekers (that was 157, right?), so why does the municipality want to accommodate 300? 

See the answer to the previous questions. The target has been adjusted from 157 to 200 based on regional agreements. The choice of 300 is deliberate: it offers better support on site, which benefits the peace, safety, and quality of life for the residents of Aalten and the inhabitants of the asylum seekers' center.

What are the consequences for the municipality of Aalten if the Distribution Act is not complied with? 

If a municipality fails to meet the target, the government can issue an instruction to provide accommodation after all. This would override the local decision-making authority. By fulfilling the target itself, the municipality of Aalten retains control over the location, scale, and integration.

What if the dispersal law expires, will the municipality proceed with plans for asylum shelter? 

Yes. The college has indicated its willingness to assume its responsibility even without a legal obligation. The reception need remains, regardless of the status of the law. This is not only a legal obligation, but also solidarity with other municipalities, humane reception and regional agreements. 

Why not a venue with 50 people? Or 100? 

The council has opted for a location that can accommodate up to 300 asylum seekers, as this will enable the COA to provide maximum support, daytime activities, security, and Health the location. This will also address the concerns of local residents. At locations with fewer than 300 accommodation places, the COA can Health provide partial Health ; many small locations would overstretch the COA's service capacity.

Why is the shelter not spread across multiple locations in the municipality? 

Distributed reception seems attractive, but has disadvantages in practice. Small locations often lack guidance, daytime activities, and 24/7 supervision, which actually leads to more unrest. At a single location with 300 people, the COA can provide full security, daytime activities, Health guidance.

Why not look at other locations, such as where Dorcas sits? 

This location is not owned by the municipality and therefore does not meet one of the important Requirements. Preference is given to locations that are owned, so that action can be taken quickly and carefully.

Why is only this location suitable? 

Seven locations were investigated. The availability of land, accessibility, safety, ownership situation, distance to homes and amenities were taken into account. The location on Singelweg highest on all these points and proved to be the only suitable one.

Kobus 1 and Kobus 2 were apparently dropped in the assessment of potentially suitable sites. Does this mean they are now eligible for housing development? 

That is not yet known; we will take it as a tip.

One of the Requirements a location is that it must not be on a residential building site. So why here? 

The council's motion regarding Singel 1 and 2 was to investigate the sites for housing opportunities. The council has started to do that. At the same time, there is a reception task from the dispersal law. The site is still zoned "agricultural" and is not part of the regular plan supply for housing. That is why at Singel 2 it was decided to combine both tasks: first temporary housing for a maximum of 10 years, then regular housing.

How does the municipality turn from "no AZC" to a full AZC in such a short period of time? 

Indeed, in 2022, the council took a different position. Since then, the national situation has changed. The dispersal law is in effect and the regional shelter requirement has been increased. The council wants to keep direction on choice of location, facilities and timeliness. By organizing this itself, better justice can be done to community concerns. And at a fully-fledged reception location (from 300 reception places) COA is fully responsible for reception, housing security and services.

Why not choose alternative locations such as camping 't Walfort? 

This site is not owned by the municipality and therefore does not meet the requirements for quick and secure availability. Ownership is an important criterion in the site study.

What if soon there is a housing plan for this location? Will the shelter continue then? 

Yes, as long as the reception assignment and agreements with COA are in place, the site will remain in use as a reception location. The housing plans will be realized after the expiration of the temporary reception period of up to 10 years. The two functions will therefore be completed one after the other. 

What does shelter mean for 10 years? Can the municipality give guarantees about this? 

Yes. The reception location will be made available for a maximum of 10 years. This maximum period is laid down in the college decision, is reflected in the Administrative Agreement with COA and is also legally secured in the environmental plan. After those 10 years, the site will be redeveloped into housing. These agreements cannot be changed unilaterally.

How can we be sure that the AZC will actually disappear after 10 years? 

The municipality has included the maximum term of 10 years in the decision and will make binding agreements with COA in an administrative agreement. After that period, the site will be used for regular housing development.

The college says "a maximum of 300 asylum seekers. What if it does become more, like in Ter Apel? 

The situation here is really different. In Ter Apel, they cannot determine how many asylum seekers will arrive; they must accept every refugee who reports to them. In Aalten, the COA will soon decide who will be housed in the reception center; no unannounced asylum seekers will be coming there.
The agreement to accept a maximum of 300 asylum seekers will be laid down in the Administrative Agreement.

Why 10 years? And not 5 or 15 years? 

The 10-year term is the result of careful consideration. COA requires that reception locations be available for at least 10 years so that investments in above-ground and underground infrastructure, buildings, security and facilities can be recouped. At the same time, it is important for the municipality to be able to guarantee the temporary nature. Therefore, this bounded period was chosen.

At what point does the 10-year term start? 

From the moment the first asylum seeker is housed at the site.

It has been indicated that after 10 years of shelter, the site will be "converted" to a residential area with regular housing. How should I picture that? 

The idea is to align the layout as closely as possible with future housing construction. Think of road structures and public spaces. We can reuse that structure, which saves costs and speeds up the transition to housing construction.  

The college guarantees that the shelter is for a maximum of 10 years. In 10 years these directors will no longer be there, can it still be extended? 

The maximum period of 10 years is legally laid down in the Administrative Agreement between the municipality and COA as well as in the zoning decree. This means that the agreement cannot simply be extended, even by a subsequent college. 

How do you arrive at the number of 300 people? 

The national government has assigned the municipality of Aalten a target of 157 reception places based on the Distribution Act. Regional agreements have adjusted this to 200. That number has also become a legal obligation. The municipal executive has now opted for a location for a maximum of 300 people because the COA offers full support in terms of security, daytime activities, Health guidance for that number of people. This provides more peace and structure for residents and the surrounding area.

Is the plan to accommodate families or loners or a combination? 

It is a combination of families and adults traveling alone. No unaccompanied minors are accommodated. COA determines the exact composition based on the reception need and looks at appropriate combinations upon placement.

What people will live there, in what composition? 

This depends on the situation in the world at the time of opening. The municipality's influence in this is very limited.

Eight people in one home, people who don't know each other and may have been traumatized, that can't go well, can it? 

The shelter is not luxurious, but frugal and effective. COA's program of requirements is in line with European regulations. Reception of eight persons per house is already applied in other locations, such as Winterswijk, and is considered workable there.
The placement takes into account background, culture and family composition. For trauma care, a family doctor and a mental health practitioner are available on site.

Eight people in a home; is that eight random strangers who have to live and live with each other? 

No. COA looks at who fits together in the composition of housing units, for example on the basis of language, culture or family situation. People who cannot live together are not placed in the same housing unit. Counseling is also provided to help manage living together.

Do single young people (up to 18 years of age) also come to the shelter in Aalten? 

No. There are special reception centers for this purpose in other locations in the Netherlands. In Aalten, only adults traveling alone and families are accommodated. 

Does selection by language and/or culture take place? 

No, there is no selection by language or culture. COA determines who will be placed where on the basis of national reception capacity and family composition. We do look at who can live well together, for example in terms of age, background or family situation. Upon arrival, but also on location, residents are educated about norms and values in the Netherlands.  

Accommodating 300 asylum seekers in a relatively small location is asking for trouble, isn't it? (Different cultures, beliefs and ways of thinking about relationships between men and women, different norms and values) 

Cultural differences are recognized. That is why there is daily supervision at the location and residents are actively informed about Dutch values, norms and manners. Attention is also paid to interaction between residents and with the neighborhood. Supervisors and volunteers play an important role in this, as do day care and structure in daily life.

How is it ensured that the arrival of a large group of people from different cultural backgrounds does not lead to a loss of local norms and values, tensions in the neighborhood or a decline in mutual trust in fellow human beings? 

Asylum seekers are educated about life in the Netherlands, including our norms and values. They are supervised by COA employees and can participate in day care, language education and volunteer activities. COA strives for an open, small-scale and accessible reception structure. By keeping residents occupied and encouraging contact with the neighborhood, the likelihood of tensions is reduced. This has proven successful in other municipalities.

Asylum seekers come from a different culture, where sometimes people with disabilities are also viewed differently. Is this taken into account? 

In general, there is a lot of explanation and attention given to Dutch values and norms, both upon arrival and on location. We can imagine that extra attention is given to this Health, and that we make agreements that asylum seekers are continuously informed about this.

Do asylum seekers want to integrate? Nationwide, there is a lot of crime in municipalities with an AZC. 

Incidents are often widely reported in the media, which does give a distorted picture. Moreover, it is often about Ter Apel (with a really different function / other residents) and about "old" AZCs where there is hardly any integration with other residents. COA indicates that locations with an open structure (no fences and barrier), different layout and other buildings show different figures. The facilities at the AZC, such as the day care offered by COA, also have a positive effect on the well-being of residents and neighbors.

Integration is important, but how are 300 people kept busy on site? 

Children go to school, adults take language classes, have conversations and appointments around their asylum applications, participate in activities (day care), volunteer or go to work.

The asylum seekers all have different cultures and beliefs; are appropriate social workers available for them? 

We have already received offers from several quarters of volunteers who are willing and able to contribute to this, also to help ease any mutual tensions.

Asylum seekers are criminalized beforehand, which is not justified, right? 

Incidents that occur are often widely reported in the media, which gives this – indeed incorrect – impression of all asylum seekers. People from different backgrounds are present at one location, and of course this can sometimes cause tensions. It is important to keep people occupied. This is done by the COA, but volunteers (and volunteer groups) can also play a role in this (there are around 35 volunteers active in Winterswijk). It is too early to say whether the volunteer work will be coordinated by the COA or, for example, by Figulus. For the time being, people who want to sign up for this can do so via opvang@aalten.nl.

Fear cramps, trust gives room. What can we as residents do?  

Residents can make an important contribution to ensuring a warm welcome and successful integration. This could involve volunteering, helping out with activities, or simply striking up a conversation. Signaling concerns or bottlenecks is also valuable. Anyone who wants to get involved can contact the municipality or send an email to opvang@aalten.nl.

How does this benefit the environment? 

Active AZC residents are less prone to boredom or nuisance and can give something back to society. Informal contacts between local residents and AZC residents also develop more often, for example through sports clubs or volunteer projects. This helps promote integration and mutual understanding. 

What are the consequences for general practitioners (Health)? 

One of the things COA arranges for in a shelter of the intended size is that a doctor is available at the site.  

National figures show that about 40% of care requests can be solved at the shelter. What about the rest?

Nationwide, the rest of the Health will still be referred to general practitioners and, if necessary, to hospitals/specialists or mental health services. This is a topic that we would like to coordinate in advance and also record in the Administrative Agreement.

Healthcare is available on site. Does that also apply to mental Health? 

Just like at our general practitioners, a General Practitioner Practice Support Worker (POH) for mental health care is available at the location. For more serious Health , regular mental health care services Health called in.

Do asylum seekers get priority atHealth? 

No. Initially, they are dependent on Health available at the location. This is separate from healthcare providers in the municipality. In the case of serious mental health issues, asylum seekers, like us, are placed on a waiting list.

Are there opportunities to collaborate in the delivery of care? 

Yes, the COA works together with GZA (Health Care for Asylum Seekers), which is responsible for providing medical Health site. Where possible, regional care partners are involved. The Administrative Agreement contains provisions on coordination with local care providers. There is also scope for cooperation in the areas of prevention, vaccination, and counseling.

Is there enough staff (to be found) at the location? 

Several more agreements and plans will be made (safety plan, as well as others). These will always include a paragraph, "How can we recruit enough staff for...".

There is a shortage of healthcare staff, so how does COA get enough staff? 

The GZA (Health Care for Asylum Seekers) provides staff at asylum seekers' centers. There are national agreements on the availability of doctors, nurses, and practice assistants. At present, the GZA has no structural shortage and ensures that residents Health the right Health in a timely manner.

Will there be a school / is there education at the site? 

The idea now is that space will also be reserved for education at the service buildings, but exactly what that would look like is not yet known.
Educational needs are coordinated with the municipality and the primary and secondary school partnerships. In many cases, children attend schools in the region.

Is dental care available for residents? 

There is no dentist permanently present at the asylum seekers' center itself. The COA organizes dental Health the national health care organization (GezondheidsZorg Asielzoekers, GZA). Children up to the age of 18 receive regular dental care. Adults only receive emergency care. The required capacity is laid down in a contract.

Are children being vaccinated? 

Asylum seekers are screened by the Public Health Service upon arrival. Children up to age 18 are voluntarily offered the vaccinations that are also in the National Vaccination Program (such as mumps, measles and rubella). Vaccination is not mandatory, but willingness to cooperate is usually high. 

Is the municipality doing this just for the money? Does it also benefit our neighborhood? 

The premise is that the realization of an AZC is cost-neutral. COA receives funding from the state for the reception of asylum seekers; the municipality does not receive compensation per person received. However, national compensation is available, for example for extra costs for youth care, education or quality of life.
The neighborhood can benefit indirectly because COA invests in good facilities, lighting and safety, and in time new housing will be built at the location for which the infrastructure is already in place.

What if the Administrative Agreement is not fulfilled by COA? What if, for example, the maximum number of asylum seekers present is exceeded? 

Agreements on this are also laid down in advance in the Administrative Agreement. Consider, for example, the penalty clause that applies in Ter Apel if the number of asylum seekers present is exceeded. A similar agreement may also apply to 'safety'.

COA is responsible for site safety; can they deliver? 

Yes. Security guards are hired for this purpose (there is 24/7 security at the site). At the AZC in Winterswijk, people are very satisfied with the security. There is a good and close team and the lines are short. Of course things happen sometimes, but it is manageable.  

The college chooses to accommodate 300 asylum seekers, or in other words the responsibility is completely shifted to COA? 

No. The municipality remains responsible for the proper functioning of the reception center within its municipal boundaries and therefore works closely with the COA. Tasks are divided: the COA is responsible for implementation at the location (security, supervision, Health), while the municipality is responsible for matters such as safety in the neighborhood, supervision, coordination with local residents, and planning decisions.

So what will be stipulated in the Administrative Agreement between the municipality and COA? 

Answer:
In any case:
• Which target group is being accommodated (families and single travelers aged 18+)
• The maximum number of 300 asylum seekers
• The maximum duration of 10 years
• Agreements on safety, daytime activities, Health support
• Communication and consultation with local residents
• Agreements on 24/7 telephone availability, monitoring, complaints, and evaluation
The agreements will be legally formalized at a later date, with appendices for specific working agreements and evaluation moments. 

What will it all cost? 

The shelter will be built and paid for by COA. This means that construction, furnishing, supervision and operation are not borne by the municipality. The municipality may have costs for things outside the site, such as extra public lighting or supervision in the area.
There is also no earning model for the municipality. Any reimbursements from the state are intended to cover costs arising from additional efforts in areas such as youth care, education or quality of life.

Does the municipality receive compensation per asylum seeker to be received? 

No. COA receives money from the state per bed occupied. At 300 beds, COA can also provide facilities at the location. At smaller locations, this allowance is not sufficient, nor can additional facilities (such as day care and security) be provided.

Does it make the municipality money to accommodate asylum seekers? 

The shelter is realized and paid for by COA, they receive money for it from the state. The municipality does not.
If, for safety reasons, extra efforts are needed outside the location or, for example, extra lighting has to be installed, these costs will be borne by the municipality.
We do want to agree with COA that they will take into account the situation after 10 years, so that we as the municipality will have to incur fewer costs.

Are there any (financial) benefits to the municipality and/or the district? 

There are no direct financial benefits for the municipality. However, the neighborhood and the municipality can benefit from investments in infrastructure, lighting or livability that are realized at the same time as the arrival of the AZC. Also, local businesses and organizations can be involved in supplies, services or counseling, providing indirect economic benefits.

Is there a revenue model for COA or the municipality?

 COA needs a minimum period of 10 years to recoup investments in buildings, security and facilities. This is a practical precondition and not a commercial profit objective. The municipality receives no compensation per asylum seeker and acts out of social responsibility. Compensation from the state is only available for demonstrable costs, such as youth care, education or quality of life. 

Are asylum seekers allowed to work? 

Yes, that is allowed as part of their integration into Dutch society. From the AZC in Winterswijk, projects have been started for this purpose with five companies.

What is the motivation for asylum seekers to work when the flow is 6 months to a year? 

Starting work in advance is very good for integration. As soon as someone gets a status (and is allowed to stay in the Netherlands), he/she already has a head start and can quickly start working again.

Can't we take in more status holders instead of 200 or 300 asylum seekers? At least they are allowed to work and can really contribute something to our society. 

Asylum seekers are now also allowed to work. Winterswijk has already started projects for this, so that we can gain experience and also experience how integration can have a place in it. The housing of status holders is also a legal task that we as a municipality must meet, in which we adhere to the numbers specified by the government.

Are there projects in which asylum seekers are already participating in work or volunteering?

 Yes, the COA works together with companies and volunteer organizations to provide meaningful daytime activities. In Winterswijk, projects have been started with five companies where asylum seekers can participate under supervision. Similar programs are also being prepared in Aalten.

Are the asylum seekers kept busy during the day? 

Yes. The situation in Winterswijk as an example: 

• Children ages 1 to 4 attend daycare.
• Older children attend primary or secondary school (within 3 months of arrival).
• Adults take language classes (mandatory for status holders), work or are otherwise active during the day. 

When will the focus group start? 

The plan is to convene the sounding board group of local residents once the City Council has agreed on a location.

Is there consultation with local residents? 

Yes, in the run-up to realization there is a sounding board group for local residents where concerns and questions are discussed and, for example, the security plan is also coordinated.
And there will also be regular contact / consultation after the first asylum seekers have moved in. Here too we follow the example of Winterswijk, where good experiences have been gained with this.

Can participants in the Estinea meeting also sit on the focus group? 

Yes, that is even desirable. Because some of the questions and concerns from Estinea are very specific, it is desirable to have an 'Estinea sounding board group' in addition where these specific questions and concerns are discussed. The municipality will take the initiative for this.

Are Singel 1 and Singel 2 connected? 

No. The idea now is that the areas will be developed individually (there is also a green belt between them), but the spatial procedure will be done simultaneously.

What can we as residents do?  

Lots. You can sign up for the focus group, contribute ideas about day care or safety, or be involved as a volunteer. Sharing concerns, ideas and initiatives helps to work together to create a livable environment for everyone. The municipality and COA are open to involvement, precisely because trust is essential for a good integration.

Why were the residents of Aalten not involved in this process earlier? 

Only when it became clear that this site was suitable and available could discussions with the surrounding area begin. Before that time, there was a risk of unrest about sites that ultimately would not be it.  

How is the asylum seekers' center included in the Omgevingswet? 

The arrival of the asylum seekers' center will be included in the spatial planning procedure and zoning change. The Omgevingswet also Omgevingswet municipalities to involve residents in the development of their living environment. Your input will therefore be taken into account in the decision-making process, for example through the sounding board group and opinions expressed during procedures.

Is there any way to still adjust the decision? 

Yes. No final decision has been made on the AZC. The City Council has yet to make a decision. Your input - at meetings or in writing - will be collected and included in that process.

Will there be a hotline for nuisances or questions? 

Yes. There will be a hotline for local residents where concerns or reports can be relayed. Exact details will be announced before the shelter actually starts.