Netherlands Third Round Tender

After two successful tranches municipalities can submit projects for the Residential Building Impulse for the third time in September. A total of approximately 250 million euros is available for the last tranche of this cabinet term. In December it will be announced which municipalities will receive a contribution for building more affordable homes more quickly.The Residential Building Impulse aims to accelerate housing construction and to build more affordable homes. In the first two rounds 57 different housing projects received money. This means that 96000 homes can be built more quickly that is 10 of the total task for the next ten years. The majority 65 of these homes consists of affordable homes for starters or people with a middle income. A significant proportion of these homes would probably not be able to be built - or only at a later time - without the Housing Project.Minister Ollongren Tackling the housing shortage is still urgent. That is why I am pleased that we have achieved such good results in a short time together with provinces municipalities and market parties with the Residential Building Impulse. This means that housing projects can now be started more quickly. And that mainly benefits people with a low or middle income. Because the majority of the new homes are intended for them. That is important because it is this group that is being hit hard by the housing shortage.EvaluationLack of funding from the public deficit hinders the realization of many housing projects. An interim evaluation carried out on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations shows that the Residential Building Impulse can make a difference and ensure that homes are built faster. There is great interest in the Residential Building Impulse. For the two tranches now closed more than 100 applications for support for housing projects have been submitted of which 57 have been approved. It is therefore expected that a significant number of housing projects with a public financial deficit will be notified for the third and final tranche. This once again underlines the necessity of the Residential Building Impulse to continue to tackle the housing shortage with urgency. Adjustment of the minimum number of housesFor the third phase the Residential Building Impulse Scheme will be adjusted reducing the minimum project size for a large part of the municipalities. For these municipalities projects from 200 homes instead of 500 homes can qualify for a contribution from the housing incentive. The reduction meets a widely supported wish from the House of Representatives which had called for a reduction in the minimum project size by means of a motion. The adjustment of the scheme applies to regions where the share of small municipalities municipalities with less than 50000 inhabitants is above 75. For example more municipalities across the country can submit an application for a contribution from the Residential Building Impulse. Municipalities that fall within these regions and have already applied for a project of more than 500 homes are not eligible for the lower limit. For the municipalities that fall outside the regions where the share of small municipalities is above 75 the 500 housing limit will be maintained. Continuation of the Residential Building ImpulseThe housing challenge is significant and requires the joint efforts of municipalities provinces central government and market parties. Through the use of the Residential Building Impulse and co-financing by local authorities over 96000 homes will be built from the first two tranches. That is more than 10 of the total task in the next ten years. But the task remains high and investments are needed in the future and cooperation is necessary. The Cabinet will continue to do its utmost to speed up housing construction reduce the shortage and thus contribute to good and affordable housing for everyone.