Amsterdam’s cold-weather shelter arrangements were due to take effect on Thursday because of forecast low temperatures, allowing homeless people to access night shelter from the following weekend. Regular winter shelter was to open on 1 December.

The city said it would provide 774 beds this winter, up from 500 the previous year. This includes 322 regular winter beds, compared with 75 last year, and a further 452 beds during extreme cold, compared with 252 last year. Shelter is provided by organisations including De Regenboog Groep, the Salvation Army and HVO-Querido. Alderman Zita Pels said national support is needed to address homelessness through affordable housing and sufficient funding for shelter.