Dutch schools are increasingly becoming the frontline witnesses to a growing social crisis: child homelessness. New data from the Youth Education Fund reveals a troubling rise in the
number of students without a stable home, with teachers reporting cases of children sleeping in cars, moving between relatives’ couches, or spending months in women’s shelters alongside their mothers.
According to the fund’s chairman, Hans Spekman, the housing shortage in the Netherlands is no longer an abstract policy issue—it is a daily reality shaping the lives of thousands of children. “We are failing as a society,” he said, pointing to the severe emotional and developmental toll instability takes on young people.
Beyond providing essentials such as food, clothing, and school supplies, the fund has seen a sharp increase in requests for psychological support. In particular, more children now require trauma therapy, often after extended stays in shelters designed primarily for victims of domestic violence. Requests for such support rose from 25 in 2023 to 65 in 2024—an alarming jump that reflects the deepening crisis.
Overcrowding in shelters across the Netherlands has compounded the problem. With limited housing options available, families are forced to remain in temporary facilities far longer than intended—sometimes for years. These environments, never designed for long-term living, leave children without even the most basic comforts or sense of stability.
Teachers continue to share stark examples. One child, when offered a craft to decorate his room, quietly replied that he had no wall—because his family was living in a car. Stories like these, Spekman warns, are only the visible part of a much larger, hidden problem. Many families live in precarious or illegal conditions, such as sublet rooms or converted garages, often too ashamed or afraid to seek help.
Children in these situations frequently suppress their own needs, fearing that speaking up might worsen their family’s circumstances. This silence only deepens their vulnerability.
Recent figures highlight the scale of the issue. A census conducted by 57 municipalities counted 28,721 homeless individuals, including around 4,000 children. An additional 7,415 children are indirectly affected through a homeless parent. Meanwhile, demand for support continues to outstrip resources: although 1,200 primary schools are affiliated with the Youth Education Fund, another 300 remain on a waiting list.
Housing shortage in the Netherlands: a structural deficit
At the heart of the crisis lies a persistent housing deficit. The Netherlands has been grappling with a shortage estimated in the hundreds of thousands of homes, driven by population growth, rising construction costs, limited land availability, and strict environmental regulations. Affordable housing is particularly scarce, leaving low-income families with few options.
Social housing waiting lists in major cities can stretch for years, while private rental prices have surged beyond the reach of many households. This structural imbalance has pushed vulnerable families into unstable living situations, increasing the risk of homelessness and placing additional pressure on already stretched social services.
Experts warn that without significant investment in affordable housing and faster construction, the situation will worsen. The impact is not only economic but deeply social—affecting children’s education, mental health, and long-term prospects.
Spekman’s message is clear: the issue demands urgent national attention. “Society needs to be shaken awake,” he said. “We must do better—for these children and their families.”
