Are rents affordable in Amsterdam? Not if you are a newcomer | Amber Howard

Amsterdam has shifted from a pinnacle of inclusivity and progressive housing politics to one of Europe ’s most unaffordable markets.

In the last year , Dutch house prices have surged by more than 10% , homelessness has risen by 20% and rents in the private rental sector have climbed by 7% .

Outsiders primarily young people, newcomers and lower earners are increasingly forced into an overpriced, insecure rental market to access the city.

Rightwing parties have mobilised the mass dissatisfaction with housing to push racist and anti-migration sentiments.

Geert Wilders , leader of the anti-Islam Freedom party, blamed labour migrants, asylum seekers and foreign students for monopolising housing supply and driving up prices.

Amber Howard is a researcher in social policy at the University of Bristol .