Volt calls for action for homeless families and women in Amsterdam
Over the past months, Juliet Broersen (Volt), Judith Krom (PvdD), and Fatihya Abdi (PvdA) have worked to improve support for homeless families, with particular attention to women who end up on the streets with their children, often as a result of domestic violence.
According to the recent ETHOS study, reported by Het Parool on 8 October 2025, 11,065 people in Amsterdam are homeless or living in insecure housing situations, including 1,446 children. For the first time, 14 children were identified as literally sleeping on the streets, a deeply alarming situation that highlights the urgent need for action.
“This issue goes far beyond the housing crisis alone, but the housing shortage remains at its core. We must act now to ensure that families and women have a safe place to stay,” said Juliet Broersen.
Based on these figures and signals from organizations working in the field, the councillors jointly submitted three motions last week aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness among women and families more effectively.
Motions for structural change
Motion 1 - Drop-in centres and emergency shelters specifically for homeless women
Women make up 30% of Amsterdam’s homeless population, yet they are often overlooked in both research and policy. They are more likely to stay in unsafe informal networks and often avoid regular drop-in centres because of fears of (sexual) violence. A dedicated drop-in centre and emergency shelter would provide a safe space for women and their children while improving access to support services.
Motion 2 - Expanding the Vulnerable Groups Housing Programme
Single mothers and their children often lose access to urgent housing support because legal requirements, such as formally claiming housing rights, can be difficult to prove. This motion asks the municipal executive to explore how the Vulnerable Groups Housing Programme can be expanded, allowing for more tailored solutions and helping to prevent child homelessness.
Motion 3 - Regional agreements for homeless families
Current local connection requirements limit access to shelters and housing support. The absence of regional agreements also slows down pathways to stable housing for homeless families. This motion calls on the municipality to engage with the Amsterdam-Amstelland region and the Province of North Holland to explore cooperation between municipalities, housing associations, and private landlords.
A Package for Safety and Opportunity
Together, these three motions form a comprehensive package of measures proposed by Volt, the Party for the Animals, and the Labour Party. The package combines targeted policy, tailored support, and regional cooperation to provide greater safety, stability, and opportunities for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The motions received broad support in the city council and underline that while the housing shortage remains the root cause, the problem extends far beyond housing alone. Deputy Mayor Groot Wassink responded positively: “My thanks to all councillors who not only support the municipal approach, but who also continue to draw attention to the position of women and children. This is a horrifyingly distressing problem.”