PHILIPSBURG:--- During the January 2025 budget debate, Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes brought urgent attention to the growing housing challenges faced by Sint Maarten students studying in the Netherlands. Recognizing the increasing reports of students struggling to secure accommodation, especially in university cities, MP Lacroes posed key questions to the Government regarding its role and responsibility in addressing this ongoing issue. MP Lacroes highlighted the need for a structured response involving the St. Maarten House in The Hague.
He emphasized that this office, as the primary extension of the Government in the Netherlands, should play a pivotal role in student guidance, housing support, and preparing those leaving the island to study. He emphasized that the St. Maarten House is uniquely positioned to offer not only logistical assistance but also to act as a liaison with reputable housing organizations. In response, the Minister of Finance acknowledged the severity of the issue and expressed her willingness to support a formal plan if one is presented.
While this openness is encouraging, MP Lacroes emphasized that there must be follow-through: “Acknowledging the problem is a first step, but real, tangible solutions must follow it.” Lacroes noted that legislation currently does not provide a framework for the Government of Sint Maarten to secure housing for recipients of study financing directly. He urged that this gap be addressed, either through legislative amendment or the establishment of formal agreements with housing entities in the Netherlands, or even purchasing buildings under the St. Maarten house. “Other Dutch Caribbean countries have taken this step,” he remarked. “Why haven’t we?”
Furthermore, MP Lacroes expressed concern about the lack of coordinated preparation for students before their departure and the absence of a centralized database that tracks students and returning professionals, something he believes is critical for long-term development planning and nation-building. “I strongly believe that securing stable housing for our students, especially during their first years abroad, is not just a matter of comfort; it’s a matter of ensuring they succeed,” Lacroes stated. “This is a national responsibility, and we must act accordingly.” We understood that the Ministry is in the final stages of arranging discussions with a major student housing provider in the Netherlands. MP Lacroes welcomes this development but calls on all relevant ministries to collaborate and ensure this effort is not another missed opportunity. He concluded by calling for patience from parents and students while the Government explores viable solutions, but he also underscored the need for urgency: “Time is of the essence. Every academic year that passes without action is another cohort of students left behind.”