Concerns over future of LGBTQ+ support center in Southeast after potential funding cuts
House of B, a foundation providing ballroom dance and support for queer youth in Amsterdam Southeast, faces closure by 2027 due to a failed subsidy application. Although the organization currently serves about twenty young people weekly, the city is still determining if future funding can be secured following the procedural error.
The organization House of B, founded by Khareem Wielingen, provides a vital support network for queer youth in Amsterdam Southeast. Since January, the foundation has hosted monthly ballroom dance sessions at the Bijlmer Parktheater, offering a sanctuary for young people facing domestic challenges or rejection due to their identity. These gatherings serve as both a space for creative expression and a platform for essential peer support and conversation. Following a procedural error in the grant application process, the foundation faces a significant funding gap that threatens the continuation of these programs starting in 2027. The organization previously relied on financial support from the district and the city, but their current application was denied due to being submitted to the incorrect department. While city officials indicate they are reviewing potential future financing options for the foundation, the uncertainty leaves many vulnerable participants at risk of losing their primary safe space and community support system.
Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
