Statement of the day | Municipalities must relax the rules for new construction in order to combat a housing shortage

The housing shortage in Groningen and Drenthe is increasing, new construction plans are on hold and young people are forced to live at home longer. Should municipalities build more creatively?

If, for example, there is already a sign in front of a house in Vlagtwedde, it will say ‘Sold’ on it. There is no plot left in the ribbon village, so there is no possibility for new construction.

The need is so great that people even knock on the door of next of kin after a death to ask what they do with the vacant property. The only option to create space for young people is to build just outside the built-up area, according to real estate agent Henk Sluiter.

What do you think, should more municipalities consider such options to combat housing shortages?

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