Local Dutch Town Becomes National Model for Alternative Asylum Housing After Ten Years
Oss, 22 February 2026
Municipalities across the Netherlands are flocking to study an innovative asylum housing model developed in Oss by Angelo Schuurmans’ organisation ‘Thuis in Oss’. Operating independently from the standard COA system for a decade, the initiative houses different nationality groups together without separation and employs 204 volunteers. What started as pop-up restaurants in an old tax office has evolved into a recognised alternative that challenges traditional Dutch asylum policies.
A Journey from Greek Islands to Dutch Innovation
The foundation of Thuis in Oss traces back to Angelo Schuurmans’ experience volunteering on the Greek island of Leros in late 2015, where he assisted refugees fleeing the Syrian war [1][2]. Upon returning to the Netherlands, the 40-year-old founder established his organisation with a clear mission: to connect asylum seekers with local residents through innovative programming [1][2]. The initial approach centred on organising dinners and pop-up restaurants run by asylum seekers in the former tax office on Raadhuislaan, creating direct community engagement that would become the hallmark of their alternative model [1][2].
From Independent Initiative to Municipal Partnership
What began as an independent foundation operating alongside, and sometimes in friction with, the standard COA system transformed significantly in April 2022 when the municipality of Oss commissioned Thuis in Oss to organise asylum reception on their behalf [1][2]. This transition marked a crucial shift from grassroots activism to formal municipal partnership. By the end of 2024, the organisation had moved to its own dedicated location on Spitsbergerweg, establishing a permanent base for their operations [1][2]. The current model deliberately houses different nationality groups together in the same complex, with Ukrainians, Syrians, and Palestinians living without physical separation or fences [1][2].
Scale and Structure of the Alternative Model
The organisation now operates with a volunteer base of 204 individuals, demonstrating the substantial community engagement that underpins their approach [1][2]. This volunteer-driven model represents a significant departure from traditional asylum housing structures, creating what Schuurmans describes as a more integrated community approach. The founder is candid about the realities of their model, stating: ‘I don’t need to tell a hallelujah story. Our reception is not a kind of heaven, but yes, people are just nice here’ [1][2]. This pragmatic assessment reflects the organisation’s commitment to honest evaluation of their alternative approach.
National Recognition and Future Developments
The success of the Oss model has generated significant national interest, with municipalities from across the Netherlands visiting weekly to study their methods [1][2]. This recognition coincides with Thuis in Oss celebrating its tenth anniversary throughout 2026 with various events, including a photo exhibition at the Warenhuis in Oss running until 8 March 2026 [1][2]. Schuurmans has documented his experiences in a forthcoming book titled ‘Dit boek gaat over mensen’ (This book is about people), scheduled for release in March 2026 [1][2]. His critique of the broader Dutch asylum system remains pointed: ‘The Dutch asylum system continuously cuts itself in the fingers,’ he argues, suggesting that current COA policies fail to motivate asylum seekers who face up to two years of uncertainty without permission to work or learn the language [1][2].