Approximately two-thirds of Dutch municipalities are unlikely to meet the July deadline for reporting refugee accommodation availability, hindering the implementation of the “spreading law” designed to evenly distribute refugees across the Netherlands. This law aims to address the uneven distribution of refugees and alleviate pressure on asylum centers.

The “spreading law” mandates the provision of approximately 96,000 beds nationwide. Currently, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has 72,728 beds available, leaving a deficit of about 23,000. While 127 municipalities have fulfilled their assigned quotas, 215 have not yet done so.

Municipalities cite various reasons for their non-compliance, including a lack of suitable locations and political opposition. For example, towns like Rucphen, Castricum, and Waalre report difficulty in identifying appropriate sites, while Achtkarspelen, Bunschoten, and Best are facing resistance from local politicians. Furthermore, violent protests have led to the cancellation or delay of plans for at least 20 refugee centers.

The COA is actively engaged in negotiations with numerous municipalities to establish long-term accommodation solutions. However, local political considerations and complex planning regulations are contributing to significant delays. Some municipalities have reported identifying locations that will not be operational until later in the year.

The legislation was initially introduced to address the long-standing issue of some towns failing to provide any refugee accommodation for years, while others, such as Ter Apel, struggled to manage disproportionately high numbers of asylum seekers. Groningen and Flevoland stand out as the only provinces where all municipalities have successfully met their assigned quotas. The outgoing government’s plan to abolish the law is now unlikely to proceed.