News item | 11-05-2022 | 4:00 pm
Finding a suitable and affordable home is difficult for many people. The challenge is even greater for people who find themselves in a vulnerable position, such as the homeless, status holders or people who leave an intramural institution. That is why a better distribution must be achieved within the Netherlands when it comes to the number of social rental homes in the housing stock. The aim is for all municipalities to grow to 30% social rental housing. In this way, sufficient social housing will become available and there will be a better distribution across the country. Municipalities that already more than meet the 30% target can concentrate on building homes for middle incomes (purchase and rent). In addition, each municipality must draw up a residential care vision and a housing or emergency ordinance. This establishes what is needed in terms of support and how priority groups can be given a home.
Minister De Jonge: “Everyone deserves a home. It is often difficult for people who need extra care and attention to find a suitable home. Each municipality has the responsibility to participate fairly and to provide sufficient housing for these groups. So build more social housing and ensure that there is sufficient support.”
Aim for 30%
The aim is for housing associations to build a total of 250,000 new social rental homes by 2030. It is important that there is a proportional distribution between the different municipalities. There are now municipalities with less than 20% social rental housing and municipalities with more than 40% social rental housing. In order to achieve a more balanced distribution, all municipalities must aim for a minimum of 30% social rental housing. Performance agreements are made on this at regional level. Regional differences are taken into account and customization must remain possible. When not enough is done to grow to that 30%, the province can intervene. Appropriate legislation will be made for this.
It is also important that buildings continue to be built for people with a middle income. Municipalities that already more than meet the 30% target can therefore mainly build for middle incomes.
Care and urgency
Municipalities are obliged to draw up a residential care vision and housing or emergency ordinance. A residential care vision for focus groups and the elderly must indicate what is needed to provide adequate housing and social support and to arrange the right care. With the housing or emergency ordinance, municipalities will give priority to housing for homeless people, outflows from intramural (care) institutions or detention and social and medical emergencies. As soon as it appears that municipalities do not take sufficient responsibility for housing focus groups, a percentage is determined that will apply as a standard for the allocation of homes to specific focus groups.
Home for everyone
The A Home for Everyone program has been drawn up together with VWS, SZW, JenV, OCW, VNG, IPO and Aedes.