Delft maintains a ban on begging across nearly all its shopping streets, but this could be about to change. Street performances are also restricted in many areas. The goal: to keep public spaces clean, safe, and welcoming for residents and visitors. Yet enforcement has been minimal—in the past eight years, authorities have issued only three fines and two warnings.
Now, a new political initiative threatens to undo these measures. Under the slogan “You can’t pluck a bald chicken,” several left-wing parties have submitted a motion calling on the municipal executive to scrap both the ban on begging and the ban on street music from the city’s General Local Bylaws (APV).
Supporters of the motion claim the bans make life harder for the homeless. They argue it is “unfair” that people must pay six euros per night to stay in the KesslerPerspektief emergency shelter, and that those without money have no way to earn it if begging is prohibited.
However, according to shelter director Robert de Wee, this issue is being exaggerated. “We’re flexible,” he explains. “If someone can’t pay, that’s not a reason to sleep outside.” He adds that some individuals use the shelter fee merely as an excuse to keep begging on the streets. The shelter only accepts debit card payments, meaning that cash collected from begging cannot be directly used to cover the fee.
Critics argue that lifting the ban would hurt the city’s image and discourage tourism and local business. According to an observer of the council,
Begging and aggressive street behavior make shopping areas feel unsafe. The city has worked hard to reduce that problem—why bring it back?
Nevertheless, Labour Party council member Simon de Rijk insists the bans should go. He argues that people “want more from life than just a roof and a meal,” and that allowing street activity helps them “earn a little extra.”
Despite minimal enforcement, the bans have long symbolized Delft’s effort to maintain order in public spaces. Removing them, opponents warn, could open the door to renewed nuisance and public disturbance.
The city council will debate the motion at the end of November. If a majority supports it, the executive board will be tasked with drafting a proposal to repeal the bans. In parallel, the municipality is reviewing whether the shelter contribution can be reduced or abolished altogether.
