Eddy Bellwinkel, who has helped homeless people in Haarlem for years and was previously homeless himself, is challenging a municipal decision that prevents him from acting formally on clients’ behalf. The municipality initially barred him from being authorised for three years from November 2025, then reduced the measure to one and a half years, until April. Bellwinkel says the restriction makes it harder to help people with forms and contact with agencies.

Bellwinkel appealed to an administrative court and asked for the measure to be suspended while the case proceeds, but that request was rejected. The municipality says it has received signals from the organisation and partner agencies that his assistance sometimes has an undesirable or harmful effect, while acknowledging that it is offered with good intentions.