Housing association Lefier will demolish 54 homes and 16 garages in the Emmermeer district. The outdated buildings are being replaced by new construction. The residents were informed about this decision last Monday. They will be given priority assistance in finding other accommodation.
According to Lefier spokesperson Lizette van Dijken, this mainly concerns terraced houses on Magninstraat and J. van der Veenstraat. “These are homes that date from 1949.” In terms of layout and energy management, they no longer meet modern standards. Sustainability has been considered, but demolition and new construction appears to be the best option in this case.
Van Dijken: “There will be homes in return. How many there are and when they will be built is not yet known.” There is no concrete plan yet and permits have not yet been applied for. According to Van Dijken, matters still need to be coordinated with the municipality.
The tenants have the next year and a half to look for a replacement home. All houses must be empty by mid-2026. “These residents can urgently look forward to something else. If that is not possible or difficult, we will of course assist them.”
Four homes are now empty. Some residents immediately looked for and found something new after the information evening, according to Van Dijken.
Lefier currently has quite a home in the neighborhood, which is known as the oldest in Emmen. That is why the share of outdated homes is also large in Emmermeer. Lefier previously demolished two so-called Nicolaï flats on Nijkampenweg and Meerstraat.
More than 66 homes in the Valtherlaan area have already been replaced. Van Dijken does not rule out new projects. One that has been in the pipeline for some time is the expected demolition of the other three Nicolaï flats in the district. There is nothing new to say about this for the time being.
The residents are anything but negative about the news that their home is going to disappear, according to inquiries in the neighborhood. “I’m happy that I can move soon,” said Luel Berhane. She has been living on Magninstraat for three years now and she experiences nuisance in the street. “I’m glad I’ll be leaving soon.”
Jantiena Nijhof has only lived in the street for a year. “Everything is nice and close: the school, the shopping center. I like living there, but everyone in the neighborhood is very private.” But because she hasn’t lived there long, it won’t be difficult for her to have to move soon, she says.
“It’s cheap to live,” admits Viktor Vili, another local resident. But in terms of living enjoyment, there is something to be said about the outdated homes. “In terms of isolation, it is a tragedy.” Indoors, you literally know which way the wind is blowing, he notes.
It is therefore difficult to warm the house when it is cold. “They visited me 16 times because of the gas supply. Lots of leaks. I just turned off the tap and switched to an electric heater.” Vili would like to continue living in Emmermeer. “I grew up here and am therefore happy if I can stay in this neighborhood.”
Nabil Al-Ikaby has lived on Magninstraat for 15 years. “I’m glad I can get out of here,” he responds. In addition to the high heating costs, he is annoyed by the noisy nature of the homes. “I always hear what the neighbors are doing and they hear what I’m doing. You just don’t have any privacy that way.”
He has registered for a new home before, but with the current waiting lists it all takes a long time. He doesn’t know yet where he’s going. “Maybe something completely different, I’ll see.”