Stories, insight and impact

Wise lessons from a book about poverty

Poverty is a clusterfuck, writes Tim ’s Jongers. So is homelessness. On financial, cultural and social capital, and why one person gets back on their feet and another does not.

Without an address you do not exist

No health insurance, no benefits, no post. Anyone who is registered nowhere falls outside the very system meant to help them. On regional ties, the postal address, and a hotel room as a residential address.

A devilish dilemma

More and more families with children turn to us, and more and more often we have to choose who we can help. While in the Netherlands there is empty space enough.

Nobody chooses the street: the forgotten story behind homelessness

Job loss, a breakup, illness, violence: most people end up on the street through circumstances that compound one another. About a persistent frame that does not hold.

The growing problem of economic homelessness: how hotels can help break the stigma

Economic homelessness can happen to anyone. Hotels have a unique opportunity to address this growing problem while breaking the stigma around homelessness.

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Timon, homeless, has slept in this four-star hotel for five months (in Dutch)

The story of Kadhim and Mart Vlutters’ group of friends

Mart and his friends became Kadhim’s Homies just as he had found work and a temporary home. Together they tackled the paperwork and went looking for a new place to live.

The story of Guillermo and Sabine Claushuis’ group of friends

Guillermo came to the Netherlands from Suriname at fifteen. With Sabine’s group of friends as his safety net he is now almost free of debt, and his driving licence is in sight.

The story of Kithan and Femke Freling’s group of friends

Femke and Rosa met Kithan during Bike for Homies. They cook for him, help him think things through and keep an eye on how he is doing. Kithan now has a new home.

The story of Antonio and Tom van Eijle’s group of friends

Antonio worked as a physiotherapist for thirty years and still lost his home. With Tom’s group of friends he got his job and his studio back.

The story of Ali Djan Khan and his friends, Ali’s Angels

Ali Djan Khan fled the Taliban in 2011. When he lost everything in Amsterdam, nine women stepped in as Ali’s Angels, helping with paperwork, work and a roof over his head.

The story of Catherine and Rob van Vijfeijken’s group of friends

Catherine spent half a year living in her car. With Rob, Rita and Hein beside her she is training in maternity care, and in her first week of placement she helped deliver a baby.

The story of Jorrit and Mirjam van den Hoek’s group of friends

On the day Jorrit had to leave his temporary home, Mirjam got talking to his sister. Within three days they were a team, and for Jorrit homelessness is now a thing of the past.

The story of Mohamed and Joost Doevendans’ group of friends

Mo spent two years living in a tent in Flevopark. Joost’s group of friends found him a flat in Amsterdam East within a week, and Mo qualified as a sports teacher.

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Marnix Geus helped Paul from homelessness into a home and a job (in Dutch)

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A four-star hotel in The Hague takes in homeless guests and treats them like any other (in Dutch)

KRO-NCRV Kruispunt

From the street to a four-star hotel (TV, in Dutch)

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Paul, homeless, sleeps in a hotel for a week thanks to a spontaneous campaign (in Dutch)

How it began: one post, €30,000 in a weekend, a movement

A chance meeting on the street grew into a programme that has given 250 people their footing back.