The Feijenoord district used to be characterised by the presence of numerous problems like slum landlords, illegal accommodations full of immigrants (some of them illegal), hash-growing premises and nuisance caused by drug dealing. These undesirable situations were attributable largely to the city’s loss of control over the district. The high rate of inward and outward movement of people had contaminated the city's databases. The city was unaware of many residents, particularly socially weaker groups.

The Feijenoord Intervention Team was established in 2003 to "retake" the district. The team is composed of representatives of the police, Buildings and Housing Inspectorate and the municipal social affairs and employment department. The team has four goals:

The local government is “retaking” the district by identifying all residents and the condition of their housing. Officials visit all homes in problem areas to put an end to nuisance and identify and tackle underlying problems.

An intervention team tackles street problems house by house, visiting each home. The intervention method is a good example of high-profile government. Devoting attention to improving socially unacceptable situations (which might create better housing and living prospects) is considered just as important as putting an end to nuisance. Residents can get help in solving problems concerning such matters as housing, debts and the upbringing of children. The information the intervention team generates is available to all stakeholder authorities. The knowledge this produces enables a targeted approach to problems. Authorities are now aware of situations and no longer work at cross purposes.

Officials visited 500 homes. This resulted in 30 follow-up investigations for such reasons as illegal building extensions, nuisance and rooming houses. They found 12 hash-growing premises and 34 illegal immigrants. The care network was called in for 12 residents in connection with their housing and living conditions. The deployment of intervention teams has been embedded in the Rotterdam municipal executive’s programme for 2002-2006.

Local residents

The integral approach is important. Instead of working on the basis of all the regulations that exist, the point of departure of the intervention method is the observed problem and finding expertise to solve it as quickly as possible.

City of Rotterdam - Deelgemeente Feijenoord
John den Broeder, tel. +31 10 2916011

City of Rotterdam - Deelgemeente Feijenoord
George Meijer, tel. +31 10 2916091

01/03/2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Social services