ASML will financially support the construction of thousands of affordable homes in the Brainport region. Where new construction projects are progressing at a slow pace or even stalling, the chip machine manufacturer will give a push. The prelude to an accelerated construction spurt starts in Veldhoven, the home base of ASML. Together with project developers, 130 rental apartments will be built this year. The signatures were signed on Wednesday. It’s the start of something big. “The train is now starting to run. This is the first and more will follow,” says Lucas van Grinsven of ASML.
Last year there was talk of support for 500 homes, but ASML now wants to take a much bigger approach. “There is a need for thousands of affordable homes in which we know we can play a supporting role. When I say thousands and you see the size of this project, you see that a lot still needs to be done in the near future. We are looking at the term of ten to fifteen years,” says ASML’s head of social involvement, Lucas van Grinsven.
Due to ASML’s enormous growth and the attraction of employees from abroad, there is a major shortage of affordable housing in the region. The 130 apartments of the Springplank project are therefore intended for people who do not work at ASML. “ASML has grown rapidly over time,” says ASML project leader Frieda Rikkers. “This growth is putting pressure on the housing market in the entire region. Not only in Veldhoven, but also beyond.”
“We want to take responsibility.”
“There is a major shortage of affordable housing in the region. ASML is certainly not the only one growing. There is considerable growth in the entire technology sector in this region. The shortage of affordable housing causes many people to get into trouble. We want to take responsibility. We want to do our part.”
ASML does not aim to make a profit and does not require any financial compensation. If the project is loss-making upon completion, ASML will absorb part of the loss. ASML wants to absorb any losses up to 1.84 million euros. On the other hand: if the project developers BPD and Van Santvoort make a profit, everything above ten percent goes to the aid organization Brainport for Each Other.
ASML is not going to build neighborhoods itself. The company is also not responsible for the allocation of the apartments. ASML supports project developers, this time BPD and Van Santvoort. In Veldhoven this concerns forty apartments for social rental and ninety apartments for mid-range rental. There will also be a community center and 130 parking spaces. The construction plans on Van de Hulstlaan in Veldhoven were previously in danger of stalling. With the support of ASML we can make it happen.
“It’s only in the past three years that growth has accelerated so much.”
And so ASML wants to help with many projects in the 21 municipalities of Brainport. “We want to give affordable housing projects that are stuck or at risk of getting stuck that little push to help them get over the threshold,” says ASML project leader Rikkers.
It is the first time in forty years that the chip machine manufacturer is supporting a construction project in the Brainport region. “Five years ago it was not a problem to find a home in the region,” says Van Grinsven.
“It is only in the past three years that growth has accelerated so much and the size of the company has become so large that you are really starting to notice it. Added to the growth of other companies in Brainport, it has become a problem for the first time in forty years, but I I think we responded quickly. I think that fits with the company we are.”
