A majority of Dutch people believe that a knife can be used in the objection procedures to tackle the housing shortage. This is evident from research by ASN Bank. But parking spaces and private views remain sore points.
More than six in ten people believe that objection procedures should be shortened, even if this means that they can lodge fewer objections. A survey by ASN Bank among more than 2,000 Dutch people in rented or owner-occupied homes shows that Dutch people understand that something has to be done to to gain more speed.
Because although there are many grumblings about the housing shortage, they are correct objections from local residents regularly the cause of delays in construction projects. A majority of respondents indicate that they can live with informal care homes in their neighbors’ backyards. The attitude towards additional homes in their own neighborhood by adding or splitting is also positive among a majority of Dutch people.
Do not give up parking space
Yet ASN Bank’s research also shows in detail where the pain points are when it comes to construction projects in your own neighborhood. Because a large proportion of respondents (45.4 percent) do not believe that Dutch people should be prepared to give up parking space for the construction of additional homes.
And a third (32.7 percent) are not convinced that the housing shortage is so great that additional homes are more important than their own view. Sacrificing greenery in your own neighborhood is also not accepted by many people (41.7 percent).
In 2024, then minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Housing) criticized the double standards of some people when it comes to the housing shortage. “People who proudly say at birthday parties that they are litigating against something also complain that their child cannot find a home,” he said in an interview with it A.D. “I hope that something changes in society and that we say to those people on birthdays: act normal. Now the right to a view takes precedence over the right to a home. That is absurd.”
Knife in objection procedures
Soon the knife will actually be used in the objection procedures. The new Strengthening Public Housing Management Act stipulates that in housing projects of twelve homes or more, only one court application is possible, instead of two.
In these projects, the administrative judge will make a ruling within six months, the appeal will be processed more quickly and the reasons for the appeal must be submitted more quickly. According to the ministry, the time savings can amount to up to a year.
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