New elderly residents
Since 2017, Stayinc. has been actively promoting social interaction. Caretakers are specially trained for this purpose. They make an effort to get to know all residents and stay informed about what is going on. This does not mean that they simply drop by unannounced. However, if someone has not been seen for several days, the caretaker will ring their doorbell to inquire if everything is alright.
The experiences of recent years have shown that there is a difference between the generation of older people that is coming of age and the older people of the past. The older people of the past, who are now well into their 80s, tend to keep to themselves. The new elderly seek each other out more and are also keen to offer help. They keep in touch via app groups, help other elderly people fill in their tax returns or use a tablet, and are happy to do each other's shopping from time to time. ‘There are always a few leaders among the residents who make an effort to shape this cooperation. We are keen to support those people in their efforts.’
Encouraging movement
As is the case throughout the country, there is also a significant shortage of social housing in the Eindhoven region. When selecting new residents for the complexes, therefore, consideration is given not only to income, but also to the type of home being vacated. Candidates who are moving out of social housing are given priority. 'That's great, because it kills two birds with one stone. Firstly, a social housing property becomes available and secondly, someone moves into a mid-range rental property.’
Stayinc.
Stayinc. is a private limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wooninc housing association. Both organisations are independent, but Stayinc. does use Wooninc's services. Simon Jansen: 'We have 1,000 homes, far too few to set up our own administrative apparatus. That is why we outsource services to Wooninc, for which we pay a fee. This includes collecting rent and using the services of a housing consultant.’
Unlike Wooninc., Stayinc. is a commercial organisation, because it has to generate a return. However, it does not charge the maximum rent. ‘If a residential unit could fetch €1,200, we would aim for a rent of €1,000. Because we also want to ensure a good flow from the social housing market.’
In addition to Wooninc., Stayinc. also works with the Trudo housing association and the municipality of Eindhoven. This has resulted in PLEK, a special platform where people looking for a home in the mid-rent segment can find what they are looking for.
BNG
BNG is Stayinc.'s main financier. In 2019, a financing arrangement of more than €100 million was concluded. This was initially used to acquire a number of complexes from Wooninc. and to repay Wooninc.'s loan. Efforts are currently being made to acquire even more real estate in order to build suitable senior housing there. A number of new construction projects will also be completed in the next five years. This is expected to yield around 500 residential units.
Simon Jansen says that choosing BNG as a financier was only logical. At the time, a request for proposals was sent to a number of commercial banks. BNG was able to offer the same, and in some respects even better terms. ‘Wooninc. was already with BNG Bank, so why not do it together? It's working out very well. At BNG, they think along with us in a very open way, so that no subject needs to remain undiscussed. That is very similar to the way we try to shape society in our projects.’
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