News item | 14-03-2023 | 09:05
South Holland administrators and Minister Hugo de Jonge of Housing and Spatial Planning have signed the regional realization agendas, also known as housing deals. With this, Zuid-Holland expresses the ambition to build no fewer than 250,000 homes by 2030. These are almost as many homes as there are already in the city of The Hague. The locations of all homes to be built are in the planning. Of these, 78% have been announced and these locations have been included in the regional realization agendas. Two thirds of the new homes to be built will be affordable, half of which will be built by the corporations.
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South Holland is the most densely populated province in the Netherlands and its population continues to increase.
Deputy Anne Koning: “Zuid-Holland already has a lot of housing plans, more than enough to build the number of homes that we agreed with the government in October. Let’s make sure those homes are actually built. We are currently facing major challenges. Namely a shortage of people and resources in the construction industry, complicated procedures, the nitrogen problem and the energy and climate issue. We desperately need each other to find an answer to these issues.”
Minister Hugo de Jonge: “With the construction of nearly 250,000 homes, South Holland is making an important contribution to our goal of solving the housing shortage in the Netherlands. Together we ensure that affordable housing is accessible to everyone. Because 2/3 of all new construction is intended for the affordable segment. Each municipality takes its own responsibility in this regard. It is precisely in this province where the task is greatest that it really comes down to cooperation between the government, market parties and housing corporations.”
Joint task with broad support
In South Holland, in addition to governments, housing corporations are also drawing up the building plans. In addition, there are statements of support from construction organisations, tenants, network managers and drinking water companies.
Building in existing urban area
Zuid-Holland builds as much as possible in existing urban areas, especially along the railway connection between Leiden and Dordrecht: the Oude Lijn. This makes optimal use of existing infrastructure and facilities. In order to meet demand, Zuid-Holland is also building at designated extra-urban locations.
Attractive environment
Anne Koning: “We are using the housing challenge to build an attractive environment that encourages us to exercise and get out and about. With good connections and facilities within easy reach. And we encourage innovations in construction to enable acceleration and sustainability. Together with governments, housing associations and market parties, we accelerate the construction of the right homes in the right place. Affordable, accessible and future-proof. It is a huge job, which we can only get done by working well together. South Holland is ready. And we have already started!”