[Lees in het Nederlands]

We are facing an enormous challenge. The number of (social rental) homes in the Netherlands is far too low to meet the demand for affordable housing. In addition, the need of focus groups for appropriate housing with support and the available municipal budgets are increasingly out of balance. The result? The supply of housing for starters, people moving on, the elderly and vulnerable groups is deteriorating and the social costs are increasing due to the lack of a home for these groups.

How do we solve this?

Last Wednesday, led by Jeroen Hatenboer (Member of the Housing Expert Team of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency), we discussed the social challenges in the housing market. Rob Haans (Chairman of the Board of De Alliantie & Member of the Taskforce New Housing Construction of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) opened the meeting with a few striking examples of the distressing situations that have arisen due to the housing shortage. Refugees who we let live in tents, mental health patients for whom there is no room and starters who are forced to live with their parents. Despite all the knowledge about the problem and the working groups and ‘intentions’ to solve it, we are up against a wall of requirements, procedures and rules. He therefore argues for better cooperation and distribution of knowledge between the state, province, region and municipality as well as with corporations and other market parties.

Rob: ‘The market is ready, housing corporations are ready and the money is there. So much more is possible with the right urgency. Working together, away from policy and into action. Don’t point the finger at each other, but tackle it.’

Songül Mutluer (Alderman of Zaanstad (Housing, Youth, Poverty, the Elderly) & member of the board of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities) took over and elaborated on the advisory report ‘A home for everyone’, which focuses on a pleasant and affordable home for everyone in 2030. Pillars for good housing include different forms of living, structural budgets for more housing, good care and welfare, and sufficient low-rent housing. Using various examples, she introduced us to the recommendations in the report, which are divided into two parts: an emergency package for the short term (2021-2022) and a national cooperation agenda (up to 2030). Recommendations for achieving the goals are made at a detailed level, and Songül showed in her presentation how she applies this to the Zaanstad region.

Quote from the report by independent chairman Bernard ter Haar: ‘A home for everyone sounds like a logical wish but it is a complex task. Creating a real home is not simply a matter of increasing the supply of housing. It only works in combination with an appropriate supply of care and support. This requires close cooperation between the state, provinces, municipalities, housing corporations, care and welfare parties and market parties.’

Songül concluded her presentation with the urgent questions:

• Does everyone feel the urgency?
• Do all partners want to take their social responsibility?

Would you like to watch a recording of the meeting?

The recording can be found in the HPP Library in our app or email us so we can send you a link.