BNG housing association afternoon focuses on the housing challenge: between ambition and realism

The programme focused on the major challenges facing housing associations: new housing construction, sustainability, but also social challenges and quality of life. In his presentation, Peter Boelhouwer, Professor of Housing Systems at Delft University of Technology, showed how demand for housing continues to rise due to positive net migration, while housing construction lags far behind what has been agreed in the National Performance Agreements. Rising construction costs, cooperation with municipalities and additional requirements regarding construction quality play a major role in this. In addition to new construction, rising housing costs for the target group, making existing properties more sustainable, increasing segregation and increasing foundation problems are major challenges facing the sector. His advice is to continue to seek cooperation with stakeholders and to discuss mutual problems openly.    

Discussion during the panel discussion

In the subsequent panel discussion, Astrid Janssen, alderwoman for the municipality of Amersfoort, René Goorden, sector lead for housing at BNG, and Arnold Pureveen, led by moderator Elisabeth van den Hoogen, discussed the situation outlined by Boelhouwer. The sale of social housing to generate sufficient funds to realise new construction projects sparked a lively discussion. Goorden indicated that, from a financial perspective, the housing association sector has considerable potential to tackle the problems. Goorden: ‘It is important to step on the gas, but the sector must be cautious about rent control because this will have a serious impact on future investment capacity.’ The BNG employee also indicated that the realisation of mid-range rents is socially important and that BNG is keen to contribute to this. ‘It provides room for movement from social housing. BNG therefore supports the lobby for securing mid-range rents.’  

The hopeless and the hopeful  

Political scientist and public administration expert Tim ‘S Jongers then held up a mirror to the audience with his argument about the ‘hopeless and the hopeful’. In a city, it is often only a seven-minute bike ride between the two groups, yet they are two completely separate worlds. In addition, the ‘hopeful’ determine policy for the ‘hopeless’ based on their own perception of how problems should be addressed. According to ‘S Jongers, it is important to realise this and make an effort to empathise with the lives of the ‘hopeless’.