Many people in Veldhoven are concerned about the future of Veldhoven’s young people. Will they be able to continue living in their municipality if they want to stand on their own two feet? Already, 1 in 11 residents is of foreign origin. And there will only be more. ASML is not finished growing in Veldhoven yet.
In Veldhoven they are proud of ASML, but there are also concerns. Buying a house is not easy for first-time buyers anyway. But in Veldhoven, the young people have another competitor: the many knowledge workers from ASML who come here.
A frequently heard concern is about the future of ‘our own’ young people. “Our children also have their roots in Veldhoven. Friends, sports, everything is here. But live here? That will never happen,” says a couple who wish to remain anonymous. “In 10 years’ time, only elderly people and expats will live in Veldhoven. Because our youth are leaving Veldhoven,” they express their concerns.
“Can they still live in Veldhoven in the future?”
Pub owner Leon in den Kleef from café De Locht has been behind the tap in Veldhoven-Dorp for thirty years. He also regularly hears this cry for help from supporters and opponents of ASML. “People who have Veldhoven children aged about fifteen or sixteen wonder: ‘Will they still be able to live in Veldhoven?’ Will there still be affordable housing?”
Councilor Caroline van Brakel of Wonen cannot deny the problems with houses for ‘own’ starters. “In general, expats earn very well in Veldhoven. They also have tax advantages. This means they have just a little more to spend. There is a bit of a displacement effect there.” Van Brakel emphasizes once again that ASML itself does not buy houses for its employees.
“All we can do now is build, build, build.”
Even though the politicians in The Hague want to get rid of those tax benefits, Veldhoven itself also wants to do something for those looking for a home. “But all we can do now is build, build, build, so that there is less scarcity. That’s all you can do.”
According to her, it works quite well. “Five years ago we were at 250 homes per year, from this year we are close to 500 homes per year. Eighty percent of that must be affordable.”
“Then you still destroy such a village.”
In addition, the municipality wants to see whether Veldhoven residents can build a second house in the backyard for their children or parents. “We are still investigating whether this will cause any undesirable effects. Whether, for example, large investors will not buy large houses, immediately split them up and sell them. These are effects that are not desired, because then you would still destroy such a village.”
Veldhoven must have built 5,000 new homes by 2030, compared to 2020. Some of these will be located in the center. There the number of homes will be doubled with apartments up to twelve floors high.
But is that enough to keep Veldhoven’s young people in Veldhoven? ASML is expected to become twice as big. “We can’t go any faster, let’s put it this way,” says the councilor. “We do our best.”
Due to the strong growth of ASML, the councilor sees Veldhoven changing considerably in the coming years. “Depending on the growth of ASML, there will be more jobs in Veldhoven than residents by 2040. That is quite unique in the Netherlands.”
In the meantime, the Veldhoven catering industry is benefiting from ASML’s growth:
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