In June we wrote about the plans of the Dutch government to allocate an additional 100 million euros to solve the housing problem, namely, to implement projects for the construction of modular houses (flexwoningen) and the conversion of premises from non-residential stock (transformatiewoning). To identify promising projects and allocate financial assistance to them, they created target groupsу to accelerate the construction of temporary housing. August 8, 2022 appeared on the official government website newsthat this group begins to select projects.
Demand for temporary housing has increased
Due to the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the reception of refugees, the need for a large number of temporary homes has increased even more compared to the figures that were taken as a basis in the Housing and Home for All programs.
The Housing and Spatial Planning Acceleration Task Force, set up by the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, is already active, helping to accelerate projects and advising the Home Office on possible financial assistance for promising projects.
Who is temporary housing for?
Recall that temporary housing is intended for such categories of the population of the Netherlands as students, temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine, refugees, young people living with their parents, people after a divorce, as well as people who cannot afford housing due to dismissal from work , debt or illness.
Who will the target group work with?
Municipalities, provinces, corporations and other interested parties can register projects for further consideration by the task force. If the organization has a place, room or building that is suitable for construction or conversion, this can be reported through a special form on the website www.realisatiehuisvesting.nl. The proposal is evaluated within five working days, after which the applicant receives a response.
The task force works alongside several parties and has a separate implementing organization that supports and assists municipalities, provinces, housing associations and construction companies, including identifying promising sites and buildings and conducting feasibility studies.
Who can apply for help?
- For payments under this scheme municipalities can apply or other local authorities. Municipalities can then transfer funds to third parties: corporations, construction companies, and so on.
- Affordable housing refers to modular homes and converted non-residential premises.
- Houses for the construction of which assistance was received, must be used for at least 10 years after completion of construction - or within a shorter period, if agreed with the Ministry of the Interior.
- At least 1/3 of the houses will be available for Ukrainian migrants and/or other categories mentioned above.
- Houses will be rented or used on the basis of a written agreement between the tenant and the owner.
- Assistance for one house under construction (refurbishment) can be up to a maximum of 12 euros, including VAT.
- A maximum of 10 million euros is allocated to the municipality (another amount - in agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs).
- Only costs for the purchase of buildings, preparation of land for construction, operating costs and maintenance/management costs can be compensated.
- The first houses will be built within 12 months since the granting of financial aid. The project must be completed within 24 months.
- Listed homes must meet at least the quality requirements of the Building Ordinance 2012.
