It's getting colder again. On the streets you see winter coats and the first gloves again. Inside, the heaters are turning on. For our homeless visitors, staying warm and especially sleeping outside is becoming increasingly difficult. In the winter months there is even a danger of hypothermia. That's why we open the winter shelter (WW) on December 1. And if it gets even colder, we slide in more beds. That's called Winter Cold Care (WKR).
Aanmelden Winteropvang (WO)
This year (winter 2024/2025), winter shelter is only available to vulnerable, homeless people who have been staying in the Amsterdam region for some time. Unlike the winter cold weather scheme (see below), the winter shelter is conditional on people cooperating for perspective to solve existing problems. Vulnerable, undocumented people who are eligible for LVV (Landelijk Vreemdelingen Voorziening) can also apply for winter shelter. Young adults (18-23 years old) always have access to the winter shelter. Regardless of origin or nationality, vulnerability or ties to Amsterdam.
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The winter shelter opens on December 1 and closes again on April 1, 2025. If you want to sleep there you must register in advance at the GGD at Jan van Galenstraat 323, entrance B. (Screening Desk Special Target Groups - Monday to Friday between 14.00-16.00).
At the Jan van Galenstraat, a GGD worker decides whether you are welcome at the winter shelter. The GGD worker will also tell you which address you can go to. There are several winter shelters in the city.
Winter cold weather regulations (WKR).
When the weather is bad, there is the winter cold weather (WKR) program. So this is different from the winter shelter (WO). The WKR is a temporary night shelter for anyone sleeping outside in Amsterdam. The WKR goes into effect when the wind chill at night is below zero. But also when there is extreme wind (code red) making it dangerous to sleep outside. If the the Streetlife app installs you will be informed about start and end of the WKR.
Also, to access the WKR, you must report to the GGD at Jan van Galenstraat 323 B. (Special Target Groups Screening Desk - Monday through Friday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.). It is also possible that someone from Veldwerk or another social worker asks you to come along. That social worker will then tell you which WKR place to go to.
Bed, shower and food
.The winter shelter and the winter cold weather shelter are open between 4:30 and 9:30 pm. You can shower there, and we have a bed and food for you. During the day, the shelters are closed. You can then go to a walk-in centre of De Regenboog Groep, for example.
Also shelter for dog
There is also overnight shelter for your dog. Dogs are taken care of at Dierenopvang Amsterdam (DOA). The animal ambulance will transport your dog between the Animal Shelter and the night shelter.
At De Regenboog Groep
.This winter, De Regenboog Groep has a winter shelter in three of its walk-in centres: AMOC West, Princehof and Makom. There are 50 beds available there, 20 of which are specifically for homeless people from the LGBT+ community. During the Winter Cold Settlement, four more walk-in centres will be open for the night. These are Blaka Watra, Zeeburg, De Spreekbuis and AMOC Zuid. There, another 70 beds will be ready for a nice warm night.