2024 looks to be a disastrous year for housing. Where more than ninety thousand homes were built last year, we will likely see a decline of up to fifty percent next year, warns housing minister Hugo de Jonge. Ruben Heezen of Bouwend Nederland supports these concerns.
He calls it heartbreaking to note that in a market where so many people are looking for affordable housing, the Netherlands is still moving towards a reduction in housing production. “Minister De Jonge well refers to rising interest rates and rising construction costs as parts of the problem,” says Heezen. “But the policy pursued and the withdrawal of investors are also part of the decline in real estate production.”
“Policy pursued and investor pullout are part of decline in real estate production”
Although he finds it “particularly difficult” to find a concrete drop percentage for Bouwend Nederland, he confirms that a drop is imminent. “It will depend a lot on the measures that will be taken and announced in the near future,” she continues. ‘And also of the effects of the creation of the regional acceleration tables and of any new plans or easing of building requirements’.
Financial help
The financial support offered by the cabinet (250 million euros, ed) for promoters who suspend projects due to high costs could play a possible role, Heezen thinks. “In projects where the shovel can actually start tomorrow, but where investors back out due to rising interest rates, a boost can help,” she says. “Anyway, just to start construction.”
But, underlines Heezen, the 250 million euros are not enough. Instead, he believes that the implementation of other measures should also be considered. This also includes finding where affordable housing can be easily built.
Opposition procedures
Minister De Jonge also wants to cut opposition procedures against construction sites and related applications for authorisation. In addition, De Jonge wants to help municipalities process permits faster. There’s also a substantial profit to be made in this, Heezen says. “It’s very good that the minister is doing this,” he says. “We are also very much in favor of this. The announced passage to court will help in this».
Heezen questions the capacity of the State Council, because he believes care must be taken to ensure that the bottleneck is not shifted. “Going from two courses to one course,” he concludes. “This is a point of attention for us.”
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
