Dutch Municipality of Haarlem Launches Initiative for more Housing in Mid-Rental Segment

The municipality of Haarlem, 15km to the West of Amsterdam, will work together with construction companies and investors to realise more housing in the mid-rental segment. To kick-off the initiative, the municipality organised a co-working session.

Cooperation is direly needed

Now that the economy is growing, demand for housing has increased. There is a need for more high-quality housing that fits the financial means and daily needs of their occupants. In the new coalition government agreement, the Dutch cabinet is prioritising the liberalised mid-rental segment. Housing market policy requires cooperation between government bodies, housing corporations and the private sector. There is a serious lack of affordable housing in Haarlem, even for people with an average income.

Alderman Joyce Langenacker said: “We had an open discussion in which developers, investors and government tried to find solutions for the creation of more mid-rental segment housing. Bearing each other’s interests in mind, we strive to make agreements for which income groups will have access to these homes, for how long they will be leased in the mid-rental segment and what future rental increases will be.

Cooperation workshop in the mid-rental sector

The Dutch ministry of internal affairs has recognised the importance of this initiative and Rob van Gijzel, the former Mayor of the city of Eindhoven in the East of the country, is leading the organisation of cooperation workshops across the Netherlands. The city of Haarlem and the ministry are to join forces on this front. Alderman Jeroen van Spijk: “It’s important that we work together to rapidly ensure adequate housing supply in Haarlem. The execution is in local hands but the workshop brings stakeholders to the table so that they can work together on solutions.”

Monique Kwaak, Ymere: “The proposal is very promising. It enables the creation of a housing supply in the segment between € 710 and € 950. If we can also ensure that renters of social housing get priority, we enable a flow through of tenants which in turn frees up social housing for lower income groups.”

Casper Hulsman, Bouwinvest:“The initiative inspires further cooperation between government bodies, housing corporations and the private sector. Institutional long-term investors such as Bouwinvest are keen to contribute to the housing supply in the mid-rental segment.”