Big cities buckling under homelessness and drugs, says Halsema

Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, has called for national government intervention to address the growing issues of homelessness, crack addiction, and public disorder in the city's four largest urban areas. In an interview with Het Parool and Buitenhof, Halsema stated that these problems are becoming too overwhelming for local authorities to handle alone.

She pointed out that Amsterdam alone has recorded over 15,000 homeless or at-risk individuals, though she acknowledged the true figure is likely higher. The mayor emphasized that the visible problems in the city's parks, driven by homelessness and crack use, are causing distress among residents and trauma for addicts. Halsema believes the government is partly responsible for these issues, as cities are left to deal with the consequences of underfunded services, housing shortages, and strained mental health care systems.

She specifically criticized the Dutch government's decision to allow employers to deduct up to a quarter of the minimum wage for housing foreign workers, which she believes is disastrous and has led to many foreign workers losing their homes and jobs. Halsema is calling for the reversal of this rule, faster action against unscrupulous employment agencies, and increased funding for shelter.

She also advocates for the decriminalization of sleeping outdoors, arguing that fines only push homeless individuals into further debt and away from help. The mayor emphasized that the government must take action to ensure the city remains orderly and livable during ongoing budget talks.