New figures from Dutch statistics office CBS show that refugees with residence permits are allocated less than 10% of social housing that becomes available each year: far below the impression often given in heated political debates. In 2023, they received almost 8% of social housing owned by corporations that came free, according to an analysis highlighted by DutchNews.
What the Numbers Actually Say
In 2023, a total of 161,000 corporation-owned social homes became available across the Netherlands. Of these:
148,290 homes (over 92%) were allocated to other people on the waiting list
12,729 homes (roughly 7.9%) went to refugee households (status holders)
This means the vast majority of newly available homes went to non-refugee tenants: including low-income workers, pensioners, young people starting out, and others on municipal housing waiting lists.
CBS and earlier studies show a similar pattern in recent years:
2021: Refugees accounted for 6% of new social housing tenants
2022: Around 7% of vacant social homes went to households with at least one asylum seeker granted residency
2024: Housing association umbrella group Aedes reported around 10% of homes becoming available went to refugees
The data show a consistent pattern: refugees receive a small minority share of available social housing, while the overwhelming majority goes to other groups.
Political Debate vs. Statistical Reality
The allocation of social housing has been a highly charged political issue in recent election campaigns. Some parties, particularly far-right groups, have argued that refugees are given priority over Dutch nationals, fuelling public anger in an already tight housing market. These claims have become central to political messaging about immigration and housing policy.
However, CBS data and sector figures tell a different story:
Refugees receive a small share of available social housing (roughly 6-10% annually)
The vast majority of homes still go to other groups on waiting lists, such as low-income workers, pensioners, and young starters
Contrary to claims by some political parties, refugees do not currently receive priority over Dutch nationals in housing allocation
The current caretaker government has called for councils to stop prioritising refugees over other groups, despite the fact that CBS data show refugees have not been receiving such priority in the first place. This disconnect between political rhetoric and actual allocation patterns has frustrated housing experts and refugee advocates.
While refugees receive less than 10% of available social housing, approximately 18,000 recognised refugees are currently stuck in COA reception centres or other formal refugee accommodation, even though they should have already moved into normal housing. They cannot leave because there are too few homes available in municipalities willing or able to house them.
How the System Actually Works
Refugees who have been granted a residence permit (known as status holders) are legally entitled to regular housing, usually in the social rental sector. Here's how the system operates:
Municipal responsibility: Local councils are responsible for housing status holders and for deciding which groups receive any priority in scarce social housing allocation.
Spreading law requirements: The national "spreading law" requires every council to house a set number of refugees based on their population size, but many municipalities are still behind on their targets due to overall housing shortages.
Limited choice for refugees: Despite frequent claims that refugees "jump the queue," they actually do not automatically leapfrog other applicants. Moreover, if refugees are offered a home, they must accept it, even if it is small, in poor condition, or not ideal for their family size. Refusing an offer can mean losing their place in refugee accommodation and potentially being left without any housing at all.
Policy changes: In 2017, the government scrapped an older rule that reserved a fixed percentage of homes specifically for refugees. Councils now have more freedom in allocation decisions, but also face more pressure due to the overall housing shortage affecting all groups.
A Tight Housing Market for Everyone
This discussion takes place against the backdrop of a wider housing crisis. The Netherlands faces a shortfall of almost 400,000 homes, and young people, low-income households, and many other groups are struggling to find affordable places to live.
In this context, status holders are only one of many groups competing for the same limited stock of social housing. CBS and the Council of State both note that refugees actually start with a "disadvantageous position" on the housing market compared to Dutch nationals. They often lack knowledge of the system, have limited social networks to help them navigate housing searches, may face discrimination from private landlords, and have no choice but to accept whatever social housing is offered.
Most of the new social housing contracts signed in 2023 were for single people, reflecting the composition of both refugee and non-refugee applicants. Only about 7% of new contracts involved refugee households, consistent with their small overall share of allocations.
Housing association representatives note that even if no refugees were allocated any social housing, the fundamental shortage would remain, and waiting lists for Dutch nationals would barely improve. The shortage of 400,000 homes dwarfs the 18,000 refugees waiting for placement.
