Seven municipalities sent 16 policy staff to Stichting Thuis in Oss to examine its approach to refugee reception. About 500 people—including Ukrainians, asylum seekers and status holders—live there together. The municipality works closely with the foundation, while residents are given responsibility for their surroundings and participate through a residents’ council. The shelter has operated for four and a half years and now has 30 employees and more than 200 volunteers. Around 50 municipalities have visited, and the foundation is in contact with 106 municipalities; a second course for municipalities is scheduled for February.

The Dutch asylum reception agency COA said there are 18 sustainable municipal reception locations and that more municipalities may choose this approach. Minister of Asylum Van den Brink described Oss as an example for other municipalities. Oss’s director said interest was increasing and that municipalities were already on a waiting list. The number of municipalities placed under supervision for not complying with the Distribution Act had risen to 74.