Amstelveen has adjusted the procedure for selecting teachers and healthcare staff for the allocation of social housing. Last year, the municipality wrongly did not give priority to a specific group, which meant they were not allocated a home.
The municipality regularly receives signals from healthcare and educational institutions that it is difficult for their employees to find housing in and around Amstelveen, which sometimes forces them to look for work in other municipalities. “While their work is of enormous social value to Amstelveen,” the municipality emphasizes to NH.
30 social rental properties
By offering social housing, employees are more likely to continue working at the same healthcare or educational institution, according to a survey conducted among admitted candidates over the past two years. That is why the municipality has chosen to offer 30 social rental properties this year. That is 10 more than last year.
Something went wrong during the selection procedure last year. The council wanted to give priority to education and care staff who had lived in Amstelveen for a long time or were at risk of becoming homeless in the short term, but these criteria were wrongly not used.
Instead, selection was made on the basis of registration time with Woningnet. The candidates who were eligible for such social housing were therefore not placed in the correct place on the list, and some even ended up on the reserve list.
Fewer conditions
By testing candidates on fewer conditions this year and no longer using a complicated ranking, the municipality reduces the risk of errors and makes it easier for candidates to assess whether they are eligible.
The condition to give priority to Amstelveen residents has been removed, because the municipality wants to accommodate candidates with a long travel distance.
A long travel distance is therefore one of the two remaining conditions. Threat of homelessness is the second condition. Candidates who are at risk of becoming homeless have priority over candidates with long travel distances.