The Municipality of The Hague will open a temporary night shelter for people currently sleeping outside as part of a new six-month pilot. The shelter will be located at the municipal building on Binckhorstlaan 123 and is expected to open on 1 April 2026. It will provide space for 60 people and offer short-term accommodation combined with care and guidance. The pilot also includes additional measures aimed at improving conditions in neighbourhoods and public green spaces.
Homelessness is a complex and nationally growing issue that also affects many residents in The Hague. The number of people without stable housing has been rising for several years. Recent figures from the ETHOS count show that 6,246 people in the municipality are currently homeless or living in unstable housing situations. A visible group sleeps outdoors, often in public spaces such as the city centre, the Scheveningse Bosjes and other green areas.
According to the municipality, some locations have experienced increasing pressure in recent years, including concerns from residents and business owners about safety, cleanliness and the condition of public spaces.
Alderman Mariëlle Vavier said that it is unacceptable for people to be sleeping outside when they need care and a roof over their heads. The new approach focuses on providing shelter, specialist care and guidance, including support for addiction issues, help with employment and assistance with voluntary return where appropriate.
Mayor Jan van Zanen added that both people sleeping outside and local communities need a sustainable solution. He emphasised that the city aims to offer appropriate support while also addressing the impact on neighbourhoods.
Extra measures
Since 2023, the municipality has been working under its broader homelessness policy framework, expanding shelter capacity, strengthening care and guidance and focusing on prevention and Housing First. Despite these efforts, the number of people without stable housing continues to grow. Police figures show a significant rise in reports related to street homelessness in recent years, increasing from 1,781 in 2018 to 4,143 in 2025.
The new pilot aims to bring care, guidance and public order measures together in a more coordinated way.
Night shelter for 60 people
The new night shelter on Binckhorstlaan will operate as a short-stay “rapid recovery” location. People can stay for three weeks, with the possibility of extension. In addition to accommodation, the municipality will provide specialist care and personal guidance aimed at helping people stabilise their situation and move toward more permanent solutions.
The city is working with partners including the Salvation Army and Stichting Barka. Over the six-month pilot period, the municipality expects to reach and support around 480 people.
Police and municipal enforcement officers will be able to refer people directly to the shelter. Around the location, measures similar to those used during the winter cold weather scheme will be put in place, including social management, security and regular consultation with local residents.
Restoration of green areas
By offering shelter and structured support, the municipality says it will be possible to remove tents and temporary structures from certain green areas. This is intended to protect nature, reduce fire risks and improve the condition and accessibility of public spaces.
Six-month pilot
The pilot will run for six months and will then be evaluated. The municipal executive has stated that the goal is to create a more humane and effective approach to homelessness, benefiting both people without stable housing and the wider community.
Text & image: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation: The Hague Online