Table of Contents
NOS news•today, 06:31
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Borrowed Kraniotis
economics editor
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Borrowed Kraniotis
economics editor
Last year, housing associations invested a record 10.5 billion euros in the maintenance, stability and development of their homes. That’s more than 15 percent more than in 2022, says the Aedes trade association. About a third of that increase is due to inflation, ie an increase in prices. The other 10 percent increase is because corporations have taken a big hit with more rental properties.
Corporations have agreed with the government that by the end of 2028 they will no longer have homes with the worst energy labels E, F and G. To achieve this, they are, for example, protecting houses. Or they demolish outdated houses with poor insulation and build houses with good insulation instead.
The number of housing association homes with the EFG label has fallen from 180,700 to 142,900 in one year, a drop of 21 per cent. Aedes says about two-thirds of that reduction was due to a changed measurement standard for energy labels. This was changed in 2021, causing smaller homes in particular to decline in the label. This has now been rectified again, which means that homes have improved. More than 44 per cent of all association homes have an A label or better.
The corporations say that, in part because of the abolition of the landlord tax, they were able to spend more on sustainability and maintenance. Landlord tax was a special tax for housing associations that was introduced in 2013. Corporations have been lobbying for its abolition for a long time. In 2022 it decreased, in 2023 it disappeared completely.
11 euros per month paid
“The landlord tax that was eliminated was fully invested in affordable housing and rentals,” Aedes said. Overall, corporations spent more money than they brought in on rent. “We are now investing 11 euros per month on each home,” says the chairman of Aedes, Martin van Rijn. “This deficit is being paid through loans. This method is endless, because in the future corporations will reach financial limits.”
This means that in the long term corporations will have to invest more or less to increase rent. Next month, Minister Mona Keijzer (Public Housing and Spatial Planning) will hold a housing summit with various parties in the construction and residential sector. The corporations also hope to make agreements with her about “balance in income and expenditure”.
To reduce costs, Aedes wants corporations to no longer have to pay corporation tax. “Corporations spend every euro they get in rent on public housing and they have no profit motive. But they are hit hard by tax rules that apply to all taxpayers,” the trade association previously said. By eliminating this profit tax they would save more than 1 billion per year.
Close to 18,000 homes
Corporations built 17,801 new homes in 2023, more than in previous years. But the number of social rented homes owned by corporations increased by around 8,000 net.
The corporations aim to build 30,000 homes each year to address the housing shortage and long waiting lists. So that number was far from being achieved. Corporations say they are faced with lengthy zoning plan procedures, a lack of available building land and higher construction costs. “Construction output growth is therefore slower than necessary to reduce the housing shortage.”
2024-11-21 05:31:00
#Corporations #spent #billion #stability #maintenance #homes
while balancing the need for both sustainability upgrades and affordable rent prices?*
## Open-Ended Discussion Questions Based on the Article:
This article discusses the financial challenges faced by housingcorporations in the Netherlands and their impact on affordable housing availability. Here are some open-ended questions designed to spark discussion and explore different perspectives:
**Financial Situation of Housing Corporations:**
* **Sustainability vs. Financial Stability:** The article mentions corporations investing in sustainability and maintenance due to the abolition of landlord tax. How do you balance the need for long-term sustainability with the immediate financial pressures facing these corporations?
* **Impact of the Landlord Tax Abolition:** Do you think the abolition of landlord tax ultimately benefits or harms the availability of affordable housing? What are the arguments for both sides?
* **Alternative Funding Sources:** Beyond eliminating corporation tax, what other strategies could be explored to ensure the financial stability of housing corporations while maintaining affordable rents?
**Housing Market and Availability:**
* **Addressing the Housing Shortage:** The article states corporations aim to build 30,000 homes per year to address the shortage. What are the biggest barriers preventing them from reaching this target?
* **Impact of Rising Costs:** How do rising construction costs affect the ability of corporations to build new affordable homes? What are some potential solutions to mitigating this issue?
* **Long Waiting Lists:** What are the social and individual consequences of long waiting lists for social housing? What steps can be taken to reduce these wait times?
**Role of Government and Stakeholders:**
* **Collaboration and Partnerships:** What role should the government play in supporting housing corporations and ensuring the availability of affordable housing?
* **Public-Private Partnerships:** Are public-private partnerships an effective strategy for addressing the housing shortage? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?
* **Tenant Input and Participation:** How can tenants be more actively involved in shaping housing políticas and outcomes?
**Ethical Considerations:**
* **Rental Affordability vs. Sustainability:** Is it ethical for corporations to prioritize sustainability investments while raising rents, even if it’s a small amount? Where should the balance lie?
* **Right to Housing:** To what extent does everyone have a right to affordable housing? What are the responsibilities of society and government in ensuring this right?
**Future Outlook:**
* **Innovations in Housing:** What innovative solutions or technologies could be implemented to address the housing shortage and make homes more affordable?
* **Changing Demographics and Needs:** How will changes in population demographics and housing needs impact the future of affordable housing in the Netherlands?
* **Long-Term Sustainability:** How can we ensure the long-term sustainability of the housing sector while meeting the diverse needs of different communities?
By using these questions to guide a discussion, diverse viewpoints can be shared, leading to a deeper understanding of the complex issue of affordable housing in the Netherlands.
