The demolition of the houses in the Bomenbuurt in Veenoord will not take place for the time being. It is still unclear what exactly the neighborhood will look like and that is why residents do not have to leave their rental homes yet.
Woonservice writes in a letter to residents that it wants to look at the follow-up to the plan. “We will investigate to what extent we can take into account the wishes shared during the walk-in meetings and personal conversations.”
In addition, the social statute has been introduced from this week. Residents who want to move will be given priority for available homes offered through the Thuiskompas. In addition, a moving allowance is offered. Anyone who moves loses the return guarantee to the Bomenbuurt.
Veenoord resident Ramayana Soi was happy with the letter, but also critical: “It provides relief. We as residents need realistic plans. There is still a lot of uncertainty.”
Local resident Esmiralda Doek completely agrees: “I’m glad the door is ajar, it gives a little bit of hope again.”
The plan of Woonservice and the municipality of Emmen was to demolish the homes on Beukenstraat, Kastanjestraat and Middenweg in the coming years. According to Woonservice, renovation is too expensive and the neighborhood would be redesigned with a mix of newly built owner-occupied and rental homes.
The news caused quite a bit of unrest in the village. Many Veenoord residents reacted with dismay to the plans. During an information meeting in the fall, several people walked away angry.
Discussions between Woonservice, the municipality and residents showed that 40 percent want to return to the Bomenbuurt. Preferably in a semi-detached house with a garden. The rest would rather move to new-build homes on Eikenlaan, Trumanstraat or elsewhere.