In the coming years, construction must accelerate in more locations, with two-thirds of new builds aimed to be affordable. These agreements, confirmed by Minister Keijzer (BBB) at today’s housing summit with municipalities, developers, and other involved parties, aim to increase the housing supply.
Rules will be simplified, and permits issued more swiftly, reducing the time from application to completion from ten to seven years. About 75,000 new homes already have designated sites: 63,000 near Utrecht, 6,500 near Lisserbroek and Nieuw Vennep, and 5,000 in Lansingerland.
The projects will follow a ‘breakthrough approach’ involving close collaboration between the national government, market players, and housing corporations. If issues arise, transparency is required to resolve them efficiently.
The goal is to add 100,000 homes annually, a target not met by the previous government, though almost 90,000 new homes were built last year. Affordability is defined as homes costing up to €390,000 for purchase and €1,158 for rent this year, adjusting annually.
Developers and builders, citing project unprofitability at these prices, will receive additional funds from the national and local governments. However, municipalities require extra funding to contribute.
The Woonbond, representing renters’ interests, did not sign the agreement, advocating for rent increase controls. Pension funds also did not sign, unable to commit funds to housing projects.
Source: NOS