HEL MOND — What began as a temporary haven has now become the center of a growing national controversy. An old school building in Helmond, repurposed to house Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war, is facing serious accusations from its own residents — claims of unsafe living conditions, chronic neglect, and an environment they describe as “no longer human.”

For weeks, frustrations had simmered quietly behind the school’s fading brick walls. But this week, multiple residents decided they could no longer stay silent. Their accounts paint a troubling picture of a facility overwhelmed by structural decay, insufficient hygiene, and a sense of abandonment from those tasked with their care.

Now, a simple but piercing question echoes across Dutch social media:

“How can this happen in the Netherlands?”

A BUILDING THAT WAS NEVER MEANT FOR LIVING

The school was intended as an emergency shelter — a temporary solution during an ongoing refugee crisis. But residents say the building has deteriorated far beyond what anyone could reasonably call “temporary.”

According to multiple testimonies, the facility suffers from:

• Persistent mold on ceilings and walls

• Faulty heating systems, leaving rooms cold at night

• Unclean shared bathrooms and clogged drains

• Electrical issues, including flickering lights and unsafe wiring

• Leaks and dampness, especially after rainfall

• Overcrowded rooms, offering little privacy or comfort

A Ukrainian mother living there described the situation as “worse than the conditions we left behind,” adding that she feared for her children’s health.

Others report that complaints to management were often minimized or ignored.

“This place is no longer safe, not healthy, and not human,” one resident said. “And it has been like this for a long time.”

MENTAL PRESSURE BUILDING INSIDE THE SHELTER

While the physical conditions are bad enough, residents say the emotional toll is equally concerning.

People living in the building report a constant sense of stress, worsened by:

• The uncertainty of their stay

• The lack of communication from local authorities

• Anxiety over returning to Ukraine

• Frustration with the lack of solutions

“Every day we wake up hoping someone will come and say something will change,” said a 62-year-old resident. “But nothing changes. We feel forgotten.”

The shelter’s environment, originally designed for classrooms rather than long-term habitation, provides few places for quiet, privacy, or emotional recovery.

A COMMUNITY SPEAKS OUT — AND THE COUNTRY REACTS

Once residents stepped forward, the situation spread quickly across local media and online platforms. Many Dutch citizens expressed shock and disbelief, insisting that such conditions contradict the country’s values and standards.

“THIS CAN’T BE REAL,” one commenter wrote. “Not here. Not in the Netherlands.”

Experts in refugee housing say the Helmond situation is not isolated. With thousands of Ukrainians still relying on temporary facilities, aging buildings and ad-hoc shelters have been pushed far past their intended capacity.

One specialist called it “a structural failure in the system, not just a local mistake.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: PROMISES, BUT NO QUICK FIX

The municipality of Helmond has acknowledged the complaints and confirmed that inspections are underway. Officials promised improvements but warned that structural renovations could take time.

A spokesperson stated:

“We take the concerns of residents very seriously. Emergency measures will be implemented immediately, and long-term solutions are being evaluated.”

However, residents remain skeptical, saying they have heard promises before — with little to show for them.

“We have asked for help for months,” said one resident. “Only when we speak to the media does anyone listen.”

A LARGER REFUGEE SYSTEM UNDER PRESSURE

The crisis at the Helmond school raises broader questions for the Dutch government. As the war in Ukraine drags on and existing refugee centers overflow, municipalities are struggling to balance legal obligations with limited infrastructure.

Many temporary shelters — gyms, offices, old schools — were never equipped for long-term use.

Humanitarian groups warn that unless the government invests in sustainable housing solutions, more shelters may fall into dangerous disrepair.

“It is unacceptable,” a Dutch NGO representative said. “People who fled a war should not be forced to live in unhealthy conditions. This violates human dignity.”

“THIS IS NOT A HOME — IT’S A PLACE WE SURVIVE”

As of now, the residents in Helmond continue their daily routines inside a building they say is failing around them. They cook meals in makeshift kitchens, try to sleep despite the cold, and hope that the pleas they made this week will finally bring change.

“We are grateful for safety,” one woman said softly. “But safety is more than just being away from bombs. Safety is also being treated like a human being.”

The controversy has sparked public outrage, political attention, and renewed debate about the Netherlands’ refugee housing system. Whether it will lead to meaningful reform remains to be seen.

But the people inside the Helmond school say they will keep speaking out until someone listens — truly listens.

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