It’s a cold evening as we step into the van with field workers Gijs (director) and Pierre (volunteer). Stichting Veldwerk Haaglanden is a foundation that is committed to homeless people in the Haaglanden region. It operates without the support of municipal or government subsidies and all concerned work without pay.
Their mission is simple but crucial: to find and support the people society has forgotten—the homeless living in forests, under bridges, and in hidden corners of the city.
The teams travel with fully equipped vans carrying essential supplies: clothing, food, medical items, and even pet food. Everything a person in need might ask for. But more than that, they bring something far more valuable—human connection.
During our night patrol, we encountered people living in unimaginable conditions—under bridges, in forests, and in makeshift shelters. Without direct intervention, many individuals remain stuck in this cycle, unable to access even basic needs.
We track down people reported sleeping in unsafe locations, connect with them, and slowly guide them back to support services.
If you haven't seen it, you can't imagine that someone lives like this.
The Reality of Homelessness
During our night patrol with Veldwerk Haaaghelaand and Sheltersuit Foundation, we encountered people living in unimaginable conditions—under bridges, in forests, and in makeshift shelters.
Deep in the woods, we find Ahamed. He has been living there for weeks, surviving under a tarp with barely any protection against the elements. "Sleeping in the forest is illegal," Pierre reminds us. "So they are constantly on the move, forced to find new hiding spots, never knowing when they'll be woken up and told to go."
We gave Ahmed a Shelterbag—a portable sleeping bag designed to keep people warm and dry. It’s not a home, but it’s something. A small piece of comfort in a world that offers him so little.
A broken system - having a job but no home
One of the stories we hear comes from a man who works seven days a week but has no place to live. —his bank account is blocked. Without an address, he can’t fix it. Without a fixed income, he can’t get an address. It’s a vicious cycle."He washes up every morning at the hospital before going to work," Gijs explains. "In the afternoons, he collects bottles and cans just to afford the public transport to get to his job."
Eventually, the team helps him sort out his bank account, and his salary finally gets deposited. He is now living in a small caravan while still searching for something permanent. It’s a small win, but it shows how easy it is to fall through the cracks—and how difficult it is to climb back out.
Gijs recalls another night, when a call from a concerned citizen led them to a man sleeping in the bushes near a hospital. "At first glance, he seemed like any other guy. You’d never guess he was homeless," Gijs says. "He had a job, but no home. No addiction, no mental illness—just a man who had been let down by the system." The man had been sleeping outside for months while still working every day. After hearing his story, the team worked to get him into a stable situation.
But as Pierre reminds us, even when things start looking up, the challenges don’t disappear. "Now that he’s earning again, we expect debt collectors to come knocking any day now. One problem gets solved, another one begins."
You would think working full-time means you can afford a place to stay. But for many, that's just not the reality.
When the little you have is taken away
Under a bridge, we come across the remains of what used to be a makeshift home. It’s been burned down.
"This was someone’s life," Gijs says, shaking his head. "Whether you think they should be here or not, no one deserves this."
The fire wasn’t an accident. Someone had set it deliberately. It’s a harsh reminder of how vulnerable these people are. Even when they find a place to settle, it can be taken away in an instant.
They lost everything. Again. And they already had nothing.
The failure of the system: laws that punish instead of protect
One of the biggest frustrations for Gijs and Pierre is how the system criminalizes homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. "The city spends money putting up signs that say ‘No Sleeping Here’ instead of actually solving the problem," Gijs says.
They describe how people are pushed from one place to another, never given a real chance to rebuild their lives. And yet, despite all this, they don’t give up.
"Step by step, we try to help get someone's life back on track," Gijs says. "We don’t always succeed. But sometimes, we do. And that’s what keeps us going."
How you can help
Homelessness is not just about lacking a home; it’s about lacking support. You can help by donating to organizations like Sheltersuit, advocating for systemic change, and challenging the stigma around homelessness.
- Donate: Every contribution to the Sheltersuit Foundation directly supports the production and distribution of Sheltersuits.
- Spread Awareness: Share our story on social media or discuss it with friends and family. Raising awareness is a powerful way to help.
- Volunteer: If you have skills, time, or resources to offer, consider volunteering with us or organizations like Veldwerkhaaglanden in your area.
