kerk opent deuren voor daklozen tijdens ijzige nachten
Amsterdam, vrijdag, 6 februari 2026.
In Amsterdam-Noord biedt de kerk Hoop voor Noord tijdelijk onderdak aan daklozen tijdens de harde vorst. Op verzoek van de gemeente en het Leger des Heils is de ruimte snel ingericht met veldbedden. Veertig mensen kunnen hier slapen. Buurtpastoor Theodoor Meedendorp gaf direct zijn goedkeuring. “Hiervoor zijn we een kerk”, zegt hij. De kerk is meer dan een gebouw, het is een gemeenschap. Een van de gasten is Morgan uit Uganda. Hij vertelt dat hij zich veilig voelt in de kerk. Andere daklozen spreken van rust en warmte. Het initiatief wordt breed gesteund in de wijk. Volgens hulporganisaties is de nood groot. Ook elders in Noord-Holland worstelen steden met tekort aan opvang. De actie in Noord toont hoe snel burgers en instellingen kunnen samenwerken in crisistijden.
emergency shelter opens in amsterdam-noord
During a severe frost period, the Hoop voor Noord church in Amsterdam-Noord has opened its doors to provide temporary overnight accommodation for homeless individuals [1]. The initiative was launched following a request from the municipality and Salvation Army to protect vulnerable people against freezing temperatures [2]. Twenty-six field beds were installed inside the church hall, allowing space for up to forty guests per night [2][3]. Local volunteers helped prepare the space within hours of receiving the call [1].
community responds swiftly to winter crisis
Buurtpastoor Theodoor Meedendorp immediately agreed to host the emergency shelter upon being approached [2]. “I said this must happen. That’s what we’re here for as a church,” he stated [2]. According to Meedendorp, the church functions not just as a building but as a community with social responsibility [2]. Residents of Amsterdam-Noord have expressed strong support for the action [1]. Many emphasize that everyone deserves warmth and safety during harsh weather conditions [3].
refugees find warmth and dignity in place of worship
One guest, Morgan who fled from Uganda, described feeling genuinely safe sleeping inside the church [2]. “I felt very secure and comfortable in the house of the Lord,” he shared [2]. Other homeless visitors reported experiencing peace and relief after nights spent outdoors [1]. Some had previously avoided formal shelters due to sensory overload or personal trauma [4]. This pop-up facility offers an alternative refuge without triggering environments often found in larger centers [4].
broader housing gaps exposed by cold snap
The urgent need for such measures highlights ongoing shortages in homeless accommodations across North Holland [4]. In Alkmaar, a small emergency shelter closed on January 30, 2026 due to resident complaints about uninhabitable conditions [4]. As a result, some homeless individuals now sleep outside despite subzero temperatures [4]. Experts warn that limited facilities cannot meet growing demand [4]. Plien Kok of Brijder Addiction Care noted recent months confirm insufficient capacity exists locally [4].
religious institutions step into public service gap
Similar efforts are emerging elsewhere in the region as faith-based organizations fill gaps left by strained municipal services [4]. In Dordrecht, the Salvation Army recently hosted a photo exhibition titled “Kopstukken” aiming to reduce stigma toward homeless populations [5]. Organizers believe visibility helps combat prejudice [5]. While temporary solutions arise, advocates stress structural investment remains essential [4]. Reijha Khatien, formerly homeless herself, urges more permanent responses to prevent people from ending up on the streets [4].