Woonplek

Woonplek is a Dutch noun that refers to the place where someone lives or resides. It can denote a home, dwelling, or living environment and may be permanent or temporary, such as a house, apartment, room, or shelter.

In everyday language, woonplek is a flexible term used to describe where a person currently resides or is accommodated. It appears in discussions about housing, shelters, student housing, or temporary accommodations for refugees, disaster victims, or travelers. The word emphasizes the location of living rather than the formal status of residence.

Woonplek is distinct from legal or official terms. Woonplaats is the registered place of residence used for civil and administrative purposes, and adres refers to a specific postal address. A person’s legal obligations, benefits, and taxation are typically tied to the woonplaats, not the everyday notion of a woonplek. Because of its informal nuance, woonplek is often chosen in policy discussions, social services, and descriptive writing about living arrangements rather than in legal documents.

Etymology and related terms: the word combines wonen (to live) and plek (place). Related terms include adres, woonplaats, verblijfsplaats, and huisvesting (housing). See also: housing policy, social housing, and residential care.