News item | 17-02-2025 | 12:00
Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Minister Mona Keijzer started the internet consultation on Monday for the bill aimed at creating a level playing field between status holders and other people looking for a social rental home. According to the bill, municipalities are no longer allowed to give status holders priority over a social rental home on the ground that they are status holder. The government considers this necessary to fairly distribute the scarce social rental housing and to ensure equal opportunities for all home seekers. This measure is one of the agreements from the government program.
During the internet consultation from 17 February to 16 March anyone can respond to the proposed changes in the Housing Act. In addition, the minister asks municipalities and provinces to map the consequences of the bill for implementation. The minister will then view the responses and adjust the proposal, after which a final bill goes to the Council of State for advice. This is followed by a proposal to the Lower House.
“With this bill we will treat everyone in the Netherlands when looking for a social rental home,” says Minister Mona Keijzer (VRO). “Status holders no longer get priority over a home with regard to other home seekers. With this we do justice to all those home seekers who notice the consequences of the scarcity on the housing market, from the young person who wants to leave the house to the elderly person looking for a suitable home. ”
After the entry into force of this bill, status holders can still register for a social rental home, but end up on the waiting list, just like other home seekers. Furthermore, status holders can live with family or friends or rent or buy a home outside the social rental sector. Private landlords usually do not work with waiting lists. Housing forms such as hospita rental, housing parts and room rental are also options. The Minister of Asylum and Migration is also working for the short term on the realization of flow locations where status holders can start their living career in the Netherlands. Independent living spaces are preferably realized at these locations.