Almost 8% of social housing owned by Dutch housing corporations that became available in 2023 was allocated to refugees with residency permits, according to new figures from national statistics office CBS.

The allocation of social housing was a major political issue during the recent election campaign, and the current caretaker government wants councils to stop giving refugees “priority” over others, even though the figures show this is not the case.

Some 18,000 people who are currently living in formal refugee accommodation should have moved to regular housing but cannot do so because of the shortage of homes.

A total of 161,000 association-owned homes became available in 2023. Of these, 148,290 were allocated to other people on the waiting list and 12,729 to refugee households.

Two out of three new rental agreements for social housing in 2023 involved single people, and just 7% of them were refugees.

According to housing association umbrella organisation Aedes, around 10% of homes that became available in 2024 went to approved refugees, broadcaster NOS reported.

Local councils are responsible for providing accommodation for refugees with residency permits and can also decide which groups receive priority for scarce social housing.

But despite what far-right groups claim, refugees do not currently have priority over Dutch nationals when it comes to available homes. And if they are offered a home, they must accept it, even if it does not completely meet their needs.

If they refuse, they can be evicted from the refugee accommodation they are currently living in.