O&O building Zonneveldweg

In the former O&O building on Zonneveldweg in Wassenaar, Leger des Heils W&G Noordwest is realizing 31 Wonen Plus places. The Wonen Plus places are intended for people who need temporary support in returning to independent living. The municipality of The Hague, municipality of Wassenaar and the Salvation Army signed a cooperation agreement on June 7, 2023 to realize the living places. The Salvation Army is currently working on preparing the property. The residents are expected to move in by the end of 2023.

The cooperation agreement was signed on behalf of The Hague municipality by Alderman Kavita Parbhudayal (Work, Neighborhoods and Services), on behalf of Wassenaar municipality by Alderman Ritske Bloemendaal (Social Domain, Housing and Education) and on behalf of Salvation Army W&G Noordwest by regional director Marc Verberg.

Alderman Ritske Bloemendaal of Wassenaar municipality: "The Wonen Plus location offers a stable base to vulnerable people who work hard to live a pleasant life in their own way and to participate in society. Thanks to the support of the Salvation Army, 31 new places are now being offered in our municipality and this housing form is being carefully realized. We carry Health to ensure that this runs smoothly for the neighborhood and see this facility as an asset to Wassenaar."

Alderman Kavita Parbhudayal of the Municipality of The Hague: "Municipalities face major social challenges and need each other to tackle them successfully, just as good neighbors can help each other. By looking across borders and working together, we can achieve more. That is why I am extremely happy with this new facility in Wassenaar, a tangible result of our regional cooperation. I wish all the new residents in this beautiful place much happiness in life.

Fulfilling regional vision 'Building social recovery together'

The five municipalities in the Haaglanden region (The Hague, Wassenaar, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Rijswijk and Zoetermeer) have agreed that residents struggling with mental health problems or addiction will be supported as close to home as possible. This is described in the regional vision 'Protected Housing and Social Care 2022-2025 - Building social recovery together'.

If more than support is still needed at home, then a place in an assisted or sheltered living facility is provided. Many of the assisted or sheltered living places are now in The Hague. This is why a better distribution across the region is being worked on. This does not mean that every municipality has to have everything. But it does mean that the municipalities must continue to work well together in order to support residents as well as possible.

Future residents of the former R&D building

The future residents of the former O&O building will soon all have an independent apartment, with their own kitchen and bathroom. They will pay rent and go to work, volunteer work or day care during the day. They will receive guidance from the Salvation Army and any other social workers a few hours a week. Thus, there is no 24-hour supervision, but tailored support.

Marc Verberg (regional director Leger des Heils W&G Noordwest) said, "With this new Wonen Plus location, residents will have the opportunity to work on the recovery of ordinary life and a new perspective for the future. We are grateful that in close cooperation with the municipality of Wassenaar and the municipality of The Hague in the region we will offer Health and counseling to these people."

Letter of Intent

On January 18, 2022, the municipality decided to sign a letter of intent with the owner and the Salvation Army. In it, it is agreed that over the next five months a study will be conducted into the possibilities and consequences of a Living Plus facility in the R&D building. During this five-month period, in consultation with the care provider, a closer look will be taken at which specific target groups qualify for this housing form. This is definitely not a shelter for addicts or for the homeless.

Information meeting

On Monday evening, January 24, 2022, a digital meeting was held where the municipality and the Salvation Army explained developments to local residents. You can download the report and the most frequently asked questions and answers at the bottom of this page.

Environmental Permit

An environmental permit has been issued for the realization of 33 independent residential studios within the existing contours of the former school building. More information can be found at www.officielebekendmakingen.nl Zonneveldweg 55a.

Questions or more information

Do you have questions or need more information? If so, please email zonneveldweg@wassenaar.nl.