The shortage of places in the Netherlands is 4,000 to 5,000 places. Piet van Assendorp, chairman of the Association for the Preservation of Woonwagen Cultuur, makes this estimate. The last official figure is from 1999, when there was a shortage of 2,000 places. That number is now a lot higher due to the extinction policy and more demand, says van Assendorp.
Since the extinction policy was banned in 2018, around sixty places have been added in the Netherlands, says Van Assendorp. “A drop in the bucket.” The problem should not be made bigger than it is, he emphasizes. With fewer than 400 pitches per province, many caravan residents would have a place. “Where there is a will there is a way.”
The government must take a “directing role” and ensure that the demand for caravan sites is met, according to the study that was released earlier this month.
Van Assendorp would prefer to see the government impose a task on municipalities. This sets out how many places a municipality must provide. He also emphasizes the responsibility of housing associations. Where municipalities must ensure sufficient pitches, housing associations must ensure the construction and rental of caravans.