Amsterdam was due to present a new approach to homelessness amid a reported rise in the number of homeless people. The city has more than 13,000 homeless people, while about 2,500 people have sought help from aid organisations because of economic homelessness.

The Rainbow Group’s walk-in centre on Bilderdijkstraat receives about 125 homeless people a day for food, showers and clean clothes. Its local manager said high living costs, a shortage of affordable rental homes and blocked movement through shelters are worsening the situation. The municipality has created 200 additional shelter places in recent years, below a target of 300 to 400, and the organisation called for more places, including in vacant buildings, as well as affordable rooms.