So-called ‘housing finance’ is nothing new: the plan was already devised in 2018, when the climate deal was concluded. But its introduction proved difficult: banks were unable to offer such loans on attractive terms and European rules also got in the way.
New attempt
However, the cabinet now wants to make a fresh attempt, writes housing minister De Jonge in the House of Representatives. According to De Jonge, such a loan, tied to a home — and therefore not to yourself — helps people who wouldn’t normally be so quick to take sustainability steps.
The intention is that the amount repaid on the loan never exceeds the amount saved on the energy bill thanks to sustainability.
Prerequisite
To ensure that the measure does not fail again, the cabinet will include an important condition: only a small group of people will be able to obtain such a loan.
Who exactly will be known later, but De Jonge is thinking of people for whom the amortization period of the measures is usually too long: people who want to move within a few years or older people.
Yet
Municipalities, provinces and sector organizations have asked De Jonge to reconsider the possibility of ‘financing linked to construction’. They see it as one more opportunity to convince people. Over the next few years, 1.5 million homes will need to be made more sustainable. Municipalities have an important role in this regard. Through a targeted neighborhood approach, they have to convince landlords to invest in making their home more sustainable.
