Emergency Shelter for Status Holders in Voorschoten

At the request of the COA, the Municipality of Voorschoten has extended the term of the emergency shelter at the Van der Valk Hotel De Gouden Leeuw. The new term runs through December 31, 2026.

In recent years, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has been facing a high influx of asylum seekers. Due to this increased influx and (over)crowded existing facilities, the need for housing for asylum seekers and status holders is particularly great. The COA has stated that the emergency shelter at the Van der Valk hotel in Voorschoten is an important part of the reception process. The collaboration between the municipality of Voorschoten and the COA is going well. For this reason, the COA has requested that the municipal executive extend the emergency shelter in Voorschoten.

Extension of the deadline

The municipality has decided to extend the term of the emergency shelter until December 31, 2026. The target group for the extension is, in principle, the same group already staying at the hotel. These are status holders awaiting permanent housing in another municipality and/or family members arriving for family reunification. This is a group of people with prospects for the future in the Netherlands.

Severe shortage of childcare spots

Alderman Hans van der Elst: “Unfortunately, we’re still seeing a significant nationwide shortage of housing at asylum seeker centers (AZCs). One reason for this is that status holders have to wait a long time for permanent housing. As a result, they stay longer than planned at the COA’s AZCs, effectively ‘occupying’ those spots. The municipality of Voorschoten is happy to once again do its part to address this social problem and relieve the pressure on the AZCs. We’re doing this by extending the temporary emergency shelter at the Van der Valk hotel.”

New Developments

Starting December 1, 2025, the COA will ask the municipality of Voorschoten to also accommodate families with children at Van der Valk. The municipal executive has agreed to this. The total number of accommodation spots at Van der Valk in Voorschoten will remain at a maximum of 200.

More information

For more information about the temporary emergency shelter, residents can visit themunicipal website at. Other questions can be submitted via email togemeente@voorschoten.nlor by calling14071. For reports and complaints directly related to the reception center, residents can contact the COA site manager by phone at06-52475188.