Head of Housing Knokke-Heist apologizes for statement about ‘flodder effect’ in new construction projects in Knokke-Heist
Last Thursday in Heist, a small 1000 residents attended the information evening about some important future construction projects. In Knokke-Heist, an exodus of young families is underway, because housing is too expensive in the municipality.
That is why the municipality intervenes with concrete measures. For example, every project developer is obliged to realize 40 percent affordable homes in a large construction project.
“No intention to hurt anyone”
But head of department Stefaan Keirse caused commotion in the room when he indicated “that the municipal council does not provide affordable housing in the Zoute because of the Flodder effect” (a reference to the Flodder family, ed.). In his own words, he wanted to indicate that you should not build a villa in a street with terraced houses, but also that you should not build an apartment building in a residential villa district.
Keirse now apologizes: “In the first session there were already responses in the question round why affordable housing is not being realized in the Zoute. In the 2nd session I already wanted to counter this in my presentation and I impulsively used an unfortunate term. It was by no means the intention to hurt anyone. Given the whole fuss on social media, this has unfairly put the municipal council in a bad light. I want to take full responsibility for my personal statement and I will not hesitate to contact both my employer and offer my sincere apologies to the people.”
According to Keirse, the land in the Zoute is also much too expensive for the municipality to realize affordable projects.
Affordable and social housing
The incident has been closed for the municipal council and further work will be done to provide 1500 affordable homes for young families in the coming years, not only in Heist but also in Knokke and Westkapelle.
“Affordable” means: a home with a price tag according to the Flemish average and which must be financially feasible for two-earners from the middle class. In addition to affordable housing, the number of social housing for the target group with a limited income is also being significantly expanded. For example, a construction project by Vivendo and T’Heist Best was recently started in Ramskapelle for the realization of 20 social owner-occupied homes and 20 social rental homes.