The municipality claims to have experience in hosting young asylum seekers. For three years, Bronckhorst has been hosting a group of 70 young refugees in Zelhem during the winter months.
The mayor and councillors will now rent a plot of land in Vorden from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) for the construction of a reception centre for asylum seekers aged between 13 and 17.
Suitable location
The municipality considers the site at Kerkhoflaan in Vorden to be suitable because it is owned by the municipality, is available at short notice and is not intended for anything else. According to the municipality of Gelderland, the site also meets the COA criteria.
“It is important that refugees find a safe place in Dutch society,” reads a message posted on the municipality’s website. ‘Our country offers shelter for this in many places, but many more places are needed. The municipality believes it is important that, as a community of Bronckhorster, we take on our social responsibility and also provide shelter for a longer period (10 years) to people fleeing war, violence and persecution.’
Next week there will be a private meeting for local residents. In addition to the locations in Vorden and Hengelo, a third location is still being sought.