The municipality of Hoogeveen will receive more than 900,000 euros to get homeless people, status holders and students into housing more quickly. The money comes from a scheme from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The municipality of Assen can count on 85,000 euros.
Hoogeveen and Assen must use the money to help so-called attention groups that have less chance of finding suitable housing. “We are very happy with this,” responds Hoogeveen councilor Niek Wind. “We are constantly working to add homes in Hoogeveen, but processes also take time. And sometimes money runs out. Then that 900,000 euros is very welcome.”
This is the fourth time that the scheme has become available. “There are many different groups covered by this scheme, but they are all looking for a roof over their heads,” says Wind. “Consider students living away from home, status holders or caravan residents. We have a major task, with 1,800 to 2,200 new homes for these groups. This money will in any case ensure that we have those 1,800 homes next year.”
The tons for Hoogeveen and Assen are part of a total of 34 million euros that The Hague has divided over 97 projects in the Netherlands. The approved applications will enable the construction of 4,365 living spaces for attention groups. This concerns 1,432 permanent living spaces and 2,933 flexible living spaces.
According to outgoing minister Hugo de Jonge, there will be no follow-up to the scheme for the time being. “The resources have now been completely exhausted. I am therefore conducting research into the need for a follow-up to the scheme, and what form is appropriate.”