Almost a quarter fewer permits for new -build homes have been issued in the first three months of this year, while the government wants to build more because of the housing shortage. According to housing expert Peter Boelhouwer, the current “disastrous” cabinet policy is the cause.
Statistics agency CBS had permits for 12,500 new -build houses throughout the Netherlands last quarter. Compared to the same quarter last year, there are 3,500 fewer; A decrease of 22 percent.
As many new -build homes have been delivered in the first three months (15,600 pieces), but with fewer permits, construction threatens to delay in the coming years. This makes the cabinet goal of 100,000 new homes out of sight per year.
According to Boelhouwer, the number of permits is falling because the government only pushes the problems forward. “It does nothing fundamentally differently about the home problem.” In addition, the housing expert points to the nitrogen problems. “That is starting to play now. You can see construction projects in Gelderland and Noord-Brabant, among others.”
Furthermore, there is a break that municipalities sometimes have difficulty finding enough officials for the assessment of permit applications. In addition, there are many rules that stand in the way of permits. “The construction costs are also rising due to more expensive materials,” explains Boelhouwer.
Possible rental freezing thorn in Eye Housing Corporations
Another problem is that renting has become less interesting. “This is partly because some of the new construction must be a social rental home. Private landlords also pay more taxes, which they can hardly earn back.”
A possible freezing of the rents could further increase the problems. The cabinet intends to prohibit housing associations to increase the rent for social rental properties later this year and in 2026.
The plan is not yet final. But if it is approved, the corporations have considerably less income. They state that they need that money to finance new construction.
Nearly a Quarter Fewer Permits Were Issued for New-Build Homes in the First Three Months of This Year, While the Government Wants To Build More Due to the Housing Shortage. Accordance to Housing Expert Peter Boelhouwer, The Current “Disastrous” Government Policy is The Cause.
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) Counted Permits for 12,500 new-build homes through Throughhout the Netherlands Last Quarter. Compared to the Same Quarter Last Year, That is 3,500 Feer; a decrease or 22 percent.
An Equal Number of New-Build Homes Were Completed in the First Three Months (15,600 units), But with Fewer Permits, Construction Thraeatens to Slow Down in the Coming Years. This Puts The Government’s Goal of 100,000 New Homes per year out of sight.
Accordance to Boelhouwer, The Number of Permits is Decreasing because the Government is Only Postponing the Problems. “It does notify fundamentally different to address the housing problem.” The Housing Expert Points to the Nitrogen Problem. “That is starting to play a role now. You see construction projects in, Among Other Places, Gelderland and Noord-Brabant Being Stopped.”
Another Factor is That Municipalities Sometimes Have Difficulty Finding Enough Civil Servants to Assess Permit Applications. In Addition, there are many rules that nuisance permit granting. “Construction Costs are also rising Due to More Exensive Materials,” Boelhouwer Explains.
Possible Rent Freeze a Thorn in the Side of Housing Corporations
Another Problem is that Renting Has Become Less Attractive. “This is partly because part of the new construction must be social housing. Private landlords also pay more tax, which they find diffiult to recoup.”
A Possible Freeze on Rents Could Further Exacerbate the Problems. The Cabinet Intends to Prosibit Housing Corporations from Increasing Rents for Social Housing later this year and in 2026.
The plan is not Yet Final. But if it is approved, the corporations will have significant less income. They state that they need that money to finance new construction.