- Homepage City of Amsterdam
- Support for homeless people - Gemeente Amsterdam (in Dutch):
- Open inloophuizen
- Hulp en opvang regelen als u dakloos bent
- Op zoek naar (tijdelijke) woonruimte
- Opvang in de winter
- Waar kan ik als uitgeprocedeerde asielzoeker terecht voor opvang?
- Hulp bij geldproblemen
- Informatie over en aanvragen van een briefadres
- Hulp bij het vinden van werk
- Bijstandsuitkering en dakloos
- Financieel Budgetbeheer (team FIBU)
- Medische hulp voor daklozen en/of onverzekerden
- Collectieve zorgverzekering Amsterdam (voor Amsterdammers met een laag inkomen)
- Zorgtoeslag aanvragen (Belastingdienst)
- Information for refugees
- Information on housing and living environment
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Info on homelessness by the City of Amsterdam
Are you homeless in Amsterdam or trying to prevent this from happening? Then we first and foremost advice you to check out the formal pages of the City of Amsterdam on support for homeless people. You will also find support and information for refugees, on housing, healthcare and social support. You can find the link to the below, as well as a selection of shortcuts.
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The Rainbow Group Streetlife App
Will you become homeless in Amsterdam? Then you have to find your way in a new world. Where can you shower, eat and get clean clothes? Can you register for social care or permanent housing? Where can you find social work, medical and psychological care? See what's on offer with the Streetlife app.
The basis of the app is a street map. This allows you to easily find your way through the city streets, until you literally arrive at the doorstep of emergency services. The app was launched by the Regenboog Groep and serves as a supplement to the blue book. The languages are Dutch and English. Below you will find the download links and a video about the background and developers of the app.
See the (Dutch) video below for an impression. You can download the app for android or apple. More info at the Regenbow Group website.
Bron: NH Nieuws via Youtube.
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Street Lawyers Bureau
The Street Lawyers Bureau offers independent (social) legal client support in Amsterdam to people who have become homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. There are often more problems behind the legal question. The Street Lawyers bureau structurally collaborates with other care providers and organizations, so that a referral can be made if there are multiple requests for help/problems.
The Street Lawyers bureau provides legal support in the areas of:
- Social security law; for example, if you do not agree with a decision about your benefit or allowance.
- Social services; for example for support with rejections (shelter/letter address) and suspensions.
- Employment conflicts; for example, if your working conditions are not good or you do not receive the wage you are entitled to.
- Minor offenses and traffic violations; if you want to lodge an objection or appeal.
- Discrimination Health law; if you believe that you are not receiving the right quality of care.
- Tenancy protection/right of residence; if you are in danger of being evicted.
- Unjustified or excessive seizure.
What do they not help with?
The agency does not help in the areas of criminal law, civil law, debt assistance, taxes, and psychosocial assistance. If your request for assistance does not fall within our expertise, they will help you find the right path to professional services. This may involve information and advice, mediation, further support or a targeted referral. The Street Lawyers Bureau is an independent organization. Their support is always free.
You can find their contact details here
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MDGH: interest group for drug users and homeless people
The MDHG is an interest group for drug users and homeless people in Amsterdam. The MDHG offers free client support and helps you with information, advice and support. Below you can read what the MDHG says about its approach
'At the MDHG you can tell your side of the story when you are repeatedly sent from pillar to post. But also when the help you believe you are entitled to is rejected time and time again. When your problems are so big that you no longer know where to start.
The MDHG is originally an association that advocates for people who use drugs, so you can also contact us with drug-related problems. We offer support and guidance with problems arising from homelessness, debt and legal problems. The MDHG works independently and stands up for your rights.
We only take action when you want us to. You can also contact us if you want to work independently on the computer and can use facilities such as telephone and printer. If you first want to get acquainted with the organization, this is possible.
The MDHG is open every working day between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for anyone who wants to have a cup of coffee, for example. We are open for support questions between 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM.'
The contact details and opening hours of the MDHG can be found here.
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Z!, the Amsterdam street newspaper
The goal of Z! is to help homeless people help themselves. With the sale of Z! the sellers can earn some money and (again) build a foundation of rhythm, social contacts and self-respect.
The newspaper's editors say the following about this on their website :
'People live on the streets in every major city, including Amsterdam. The municipalities and welfare organizations receive these people but cannot possibly provide a watertight system to eradicate homelessness. Z! offers for the people who find themselves between the cracks and the ship. an enterprising way to improve their situation: selling the newspaper as an independent entrepreneur. Since 1995, thousands of sellers have taken advantage of this and improved their living conditions. Nowadays Z! still in that need.'
The street newspaper is a member of the International Network of Street Newspapers. See the video below for inspiration.
Do you want to become a seller? Then you will find more information on this page of the Z! website.
Source: INSP via Vimeo.
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The Homeless Union
The Homeless Union is for and by Homeless People. Their goal is to represent the interests of homeless people and fringe groups.
According the Home Unions'website, they work as follows.
'We often have experience with not having our own home. That is why we often know better what is needed and where you can go. If you come by or if we find you, support is self-evident to us.
We try to give every person the tailor-made help they need. We have four teams. You will get on the phone with the communications team when you call or email us. They will provide you with the necessary information and advice . Our colleagues in the mailroom sort all the mail and give you yours when you come by to pick up your mail. The intake and evaluation colleagues will support you in obtaining a postal address in the right place with registration in the Municipal Personal Records Database of the Municipality of Amsterdam. You can also contact them with all your questions . Our fieldwork has an outreach approach and will visit you if you feel it is necessary or if we think you could use some support.
Another important task of ours is policy advice on homeless people and fringe groups to the municipality and other authorities. By participating in consultations and speaking out in council meetings, we try to make things better for our target groups.
In the Street Alliance , we work closely with the Street Lawyers Bureau and the Advocacy of Drug Users (MDHG). Since 2024, the Street Alliance has continued as an independent foundation. They ensure that everyone without their own home can receive independent client support . They have been doing this at the Homeless Office since the summer of 2022. People can arrange their own affairs online and receive all kinds of support. For example, you can get help with applying for benefits, permanent residence, or problems with treatment by government agencies. There is also help with objection procedures from the street lawyers.'
Please find their contact details here.
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The Building Depot for young people
'Het Bouwdepot' is an approach in which homeless young people receive a monthly donation for a year to build their own future. The approach gives young people financial peace and space to work on personal goals. Such as paying off debts, working on recovery and creating a stable living situation. This puts young people back in the driver's seat and regains control over their lives.
The Bouwdepot focuses on 18 to 21 year olds. A vulnerable target group that currently falls through the cracks of the law. By working creatively outside the system and using free fund money, it became possible to activate the field and enthuse municipalities in a short time. In this video, Ali explains how the Bouwdepot helped him:
Source: Het Bouwdepot via Youtube
Animation by Sophia Twigt
Music by Sounds by Thomas.