Now housing association Woonpunt has said it will continue to give members of the Moluccan community priority when a house in Heer became available ‘provided they meet the criteria on the composition of their household and income’.

‘We are meeting our agreements,’ a spokesman told broadcaster NOS. ‘This is nothing to do with discrimination. Other population groups do not share Moluccan history.’

The new deal means that single people and couples will also be eligible for the properties, which are big enough for families, and that properties can be passed down the generations.