Today, Alderman Co Engberts (Housing, Neighborhoods, Welfare, and Southwest) accepted the ” Wij(k) in Woord en Beeld” (Neighborhood in Words and Images ) award. 120 first-year Social Work students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences conducted an in-depth study commissioned by the neighborhood boards in the Bomenbuurt, Bloemenbuurt, and Vogelwijk neighborhoods. The study maps how local residents view the plans for housing vulnerable groups and asylum seekers in the former HagaZiekenhuis (Hague Hospital). Residents were also consulted about their views on the arrival and use of the new building at Sportlaan 600. The interviewees are clear: they are asking the municipality for small-scale housing, safety, and genuine participation.
Broad support for a careful approach
Between October and November 2025, more than 400 residents from the three neighborhoods were surveyed, primarily through door-to-door conversations. The study shows that residents have strong ties to their neighborhood and are willing to participate in shaping the future of their living environment. At the same time, clear concerns emerged about the scale and implementation of the plans for Sportlaan 600. Since 2023, the municipality of The Hague has been offering temporary housing to 80 homeless people there, between November and May. In addition, the municipality intends to adapt the former hospital to accommodate a diverse group of approximately 750 residents: asylum seekers, refugees, homeless families, young people in sheltered housing programs, and first-time buyers. The main preconditions residents cite for accepting temporary housing for the various groups are:
- Genuine participation and reliable communication from the municipality: early and honest information and the opportunity to contribute ideas.
- Small scale and careful selection of target groups: limited numbers and a well-considered composition of resident groups.
- Safety and supervision: there is a need for visible enforcement, camera surveillance and an active police presence.
- Meaningful daytime activities and support: temporary residents must have access to work, education or other activities.
- Clear duration and perspective: residents ask for firm agreements about the temporary nature of the project.
Future new construction
Local residents are pleased with the proposed new homes on the site – the study clearly demonstrates that there should be a mix of housing for young people and apartments for seniors – both in the lower and higher price ranges. There is broad understanding that the municipality is also planning social housing – but in a way that preserves the character of these neighborhoods, for example, up to 25% of the new development.
Further studies and projects between The Hague University of Applied Sciences and the neighborhoods
Based on the great success of this exploration, other projects that can be implemented in a similar way are already underway. Specifically, topics such as “loneliness behind the front door” were discussed, and both the alderman and politicians responded very positively to such projects. It is crucial to fully understand the residents and the issues at hand, and the insights that students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences’ Social Work program are now providing within the former Haga project demonstrate that this is an exceptionally valuable approach that should be applied more frequently in the near future.
Call to the municipality
The three neighborhood associations emphasize the importance of this exploration as a basis for constructive dialogue. “Residents want to be taken seriously,” the boards state. “These results demonstrate that support is possible, provided the municipality invests in transparency, customized solutions, safety, and mutual trust.”
For more about The Hague University of Applied Sciences: https://www.thuas.com