In the national reception centres of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), there is almost no room left to accommodate people who have applied for asylum or have a residence permit. The Municipality of Leiden has been looking for opportunities to take its responsibility by offering a location that is suitable for the reception of asylum seekers.
Location
The municipality of Leiden considers Haagse Schouwweg 8a to n as a suitable location. This is an office building opposite the Holiday Inn and is part of the area where the new district Westerpoort is planned. This location is available for reception for a maximum period of 5.5 years. Agreements have been made between the owner of the building, COA and the municipality about making the location available.
The municipality assumes that there is room for approximately 350 asylum seekers. COA wants to prepare the building quickly for the crisis emergency accommodation of the 100 people who are currently staying in the 3 October Hall until 1 July at the latest. The planning is that the reception centre on the Haagse Schouwweg will be ready for these people in early June. The emergency shelter is expected to be in use for about six months. During that time, the building will be renovated so that it will be suitable for the reception of approximately 350 asylum seekers in total.
Measures and assistance
COA and the municipality will take the necessary measures to ensure that the reception will take place safely and with as little inconvenience as possible. There will be supervision and monitoring at all times and the location can always be reached by telephone. Depending on who is going to live there, there will be education and the residents will work on their asylum procedure.
Information evening
The municipality and COA are organising an information evening on Wednesday 25 May from 20:00 to 21:30 (entrance from 19.30) in ECC Leiden, main entrance former Holiday Inn. You can register for the information evening by sending an email. There you can also ask questions about the information evening. You can also call 14 071, choice 4 (Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00 hours).