Presentation given by Christl van Gerven, City of Rotterdam, The Netherlands at a FEANTSA seminar on "Key elements for a successful local homeless strategy: How Europe can support local authorities to improve the fight against homelessness", hosted by the Committee of the Regions, June 2007

1. How to address homelessness
and nimbyism at the same time?
Presentation City of Rotterdam
Seminar Feantsa June 1st, 2007

2. Outline
Strategy plan for social relief
The process regarding new accommodations–
conditions
The process regarding new accommodations –
step by step

3. 4 major cities working together
a new approach
Strategy plan for social relief:
A new form of cooperation between the 4 cities
(Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht), a
variety of state ministries, Salvation Army, and umbrella
organizations (housing associations, social care
providers, care financers, etc).
Aim: to reduce the overall number of homeless in the 4
cities.

4. Strategy Plan for Social Relief
2 quantitative targets (for Rotterdam):
- At 2010 there is a personal plan for each of the 10.000
(2.900) homeless with ambitions on housing, care, financial
issues and daily activities
- For 60% of this group (1.740) there is a fitting and
sustainable housing situation
How?
13 different instruments (facilitating), including more
accommodation

5. Top down or bottom up?
Investing in communication with all the stakeholders (local
councils, citizens, housings associations, care providers,
clients, etc.) to minimize resistance
Investing in capacity (this approach is very time-consuming)
Decide beforehand the amount of accommodations and the
criteria for the distribution of the accommodations
throughout the city

6. Step by step
Local councils participate in decision making proces
regarding new locations
Local councils have “veto right” for specific areas
Each local council has a small working group to check all the
available accommodations (sites)
The best sites get on the short list

7. Communication is the key
Local councils take the lead in communication of the
new accommodations in their area
For each accommodation, a local committee of
stakeholders is formed
Standardization of communication strategy,
agreements (convenant), and other protocols

8. So…
THINK GLOBALLY (i.c. CITY)
ACT LOCALLY (I.C. PER ACCOMMODATION)
www.dakloosinrotterdam.nl