News item | 20-06-2023 | 13:06
Today it was announced which municipalities are entitled to a contribution from the fifth tranche of Housing Construction Impulse (Wbi). With this round, 117.6 million euros, including VAT, have been made available for the accelerated realization of more affordable homes. The amount is divided over 28 applications, which together account for the construction of 19,635 new homes. Of these, 68% fall into the affordable category.
From 15 February to 31 March 2023, municipalities could apply to the Wbi counter for a financial contribution for the accelerated construction of more affordable homes. A total of 42 applications were submitted during this fifth tranche of the Wbi. After the desk closed at the end of March, the assessment process and decision-making followed. In the end, 28 applications, spread over 26 municipalities, were approved. Together they will receive a contribution of 117.6 million euros.
Increase in registrations of smaller municipalities
The first four rounds of the Wbi already delivered 164,732 new homes throughout the country. 19,635 new homes are now being added, including in a number of smaller municipalities. Due to changes in the conditions, the possibilities for smaller municipalities have increased since the fourth tranche. For example, municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants could submit a project with at least 200 homes. Municipalities were also allowed to bundle applications for different projects. Adjustments that yielded immediate results given the registration of significantly more smaller municipalities and municipalities in rural areas. For example, Berkelland, Súdwest-Fryslân and a bundled application for three municipalities from Stadsregio Parkstad Limburg received a contribution:
Alderman Van Gijssel of the municipality of Berkelland about the positive news: ‘What a top result! This is of course a milestone for Berkelland, but at the same time for the entire Achterhoek. We are taking real steps to make government funds more readily available to our beautiful region from now on”.
Tim Weijers, alderman in Kerkrade, says about the award: ‘This government grant is recognition for the local housing challenges in municipalities such as Beekdaelen, Brunssum and Kerkrade in the Parkstad Limburg region.
Alderman Michel Rietman is also pleased on behalf of the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân: “We are extremely pleased with the granting of the housing impulse for Súdwest-Fryslân. And I am also very pleased with Minister Hugo de Jonge’s thinking along with us as a rural municipality. By bundling several projects, we also qualify for this incentive with smaller projects. That will really help us to build for the right target group.”
NHG limit released
Another important change has been made for the fifth tranche: the National Mortgage Guarantee limit (NHG limit) has been abandoned as the definition for affordable owner-occupied homes. This means that the limit of affordable owner-occupied homes in a Wbi application no longer follows the NHG limit. Instead, the limit has now been permanently set at 355,000 euros. The aim is to realize more affordable owner-occupied homes for first-time buyers and middle-income earners.
Continuing construction projects
With the Wbi, municipalities can get to work building more homes and more affordable homes faster. For example, starters and people with a middle income have a better chance of finding an affordable home. Projects that suffer from a public shortage due to high investments, for example in the construction of new infrastructure or high-quality public space, can also receive a contribution. By financing part of that shortfall, delays are prevented and an affordable program can be realised.