Bazalt Wonen transforms event location into lively residential area with care facilities

Where once stood American Roadhouse's go-kart tracks and bowling alleys in Zaltbommel, now rises a modern residential area with care facilities. Housing association Bazalt Wonen, with funding from BNG, transformed this former leisure centre into a lively neighbourhood with a mix of social rental, mid-range rental and owner-occupied homes, supplemented with essential care facilities. With 174 new homes, this project contributes to Zaltbommel’s housing challenges and liveability. Han Jetten, director of Bazalt Wonen: ‘The result is a mixed-use district with care facilities and plenty of meeting spaces.’

From go-kart track to residential neighbourhood

The former American Roadhouse was for years a spot where people could have fun, but with growing demand for affordable housing and an ageing population, the municipality of Zaltbommel opted for redevelopment. Bazalt Wonen took up this challenge and commissioned subsidiary Bouwlinie to redevelop the site. An important aspect of this was the realisation of care facilities within the neighbourhood. ‘One of the buildings features a medical plinth underneath it, with a general practice, pharmacy and an outpatient clinic of the Jeroen Bosch Hospital. This makes care very easily accessible to residents’, says Jetten.

Social cohesion and liveability

As with every neighbourhood that Bouwlinie develops, social cohesion was also central to this one, attracting residents with a variety of homes, both for sale and to rent. In addition, residents are actively involved in their living environment based on liveability, by actively supporting neighbourhood activities through Bazalt Wonen. Jetten: 'This is how we contribute to creating resilient neighbourhoods. After all, a house is more than just a roof over your head; it’s a home – a liveable neighbourhood where people feel connected and where care and well-being go hand in hand.’

This is how we contribute to creating resilient neighbourhoods. After all, a house is more than just a roof over your head; it’s a home – a liveable neighbourhood where people feel connected and where care and well-being go hand in hand.’
Han Jetten
Director of Bazalt Wonen

Funding for mid-range rental homes

Funding for mid-range rental homes involves complex challenges, says Rob Arts, Manager Finance, Data & IT. ‘Fortunately, BNG thinks actively, is flexible and helps housing associations make use of opportunities.’ René Goorden, Housing Sector Lead at BNG, underscores this. He says that BNG is taking on the financing for mid-range rental and private-sector homes (a total of 38 homes). ‘The lack of WSW (Waarborgfonds Sociale Woningbouw, Social Housing Guarantee Fund) guarantees means that we are fully exposed to the financial risk. This funding promotes housing market mobility and contributes to mixed neighbourhoods, which is in line with the social goals of Bazalt Wonen and the municipality of Zaltbommel. Arts emphasises BNG’s knowledge of housing associations: ‘BNG understands the dynamics and challenges of housing associations and knows what our performance agreements and challenges are. This allows us to change tack quickly.’

Zonnepanelen van de duurzame sportaccommodatie in Hilvarenbeek

A home for many

The redevelopment of the American Roadhouse site is a success story of sustainable urban development, where living, care and liveability have come together by way of a risky development process. René Goorden: ‘With this funding, we are contributing to the creation of sustainable and accessible living environments. In this way, we are helping to address housing shortages and sustainability issues.’ The homes are all currently inhabited and care facilities will open soon. The great interest in the apartments underlines the importance of accessible mid-range rental homes in the region. With this project, Bazalt Wonen shows that this kind of mixed residential area contributes to inclusive, liveable and sustainable communities: a home for many.

‘With this funding, we are contributing to the creation of sustainable and accessible living environments. In this way, we are helping to address housing shortages and sustainability issues.’
René Goorden
Housing Sector Lead at BNG

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René Goorden

Sectorlead Wonen

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