In less than 48 hours there are already more than 300 registrations for the ‘Homestart’ initiative and the counter seems to be unstoppable. The houses of about fifty square meters are built in a factory. No project developer is involved and the Zaanse Mirte Groen will lead the way. “I thought we could use this in Zaanstad.”
–
The intention is for a group of starters to realize the homes together with the municipality. The first talks with politicians from Zaandam are over. “I have already received many enthusiastic e-mails from the municipality of Zaanstad,” says Mirte. The Zaanse sees the idea of Studio L&R at the Dutch Design Week and immediately wanted to bring this to Zaanstad.
“I went looking for myself, instead of waiting.” De Zaanse would like to leave home, but so far she has not been able to. “I have a lot of friends who have the same problem and I want to fight for that.”
–
Mirte sees the houses at the Dutch Design Week. “At first I thought it was Tiny Houses.” But Mirte soon finds out that this plan works just a little differently. “It’s an apartment, but in three floors.” Work is therefore carried out at a height, so that less ground is needed.
The idea for the houses was embraced en masse in a few days. There have been many reactions. Mirte: “It really shows the need for the housing shortage and the need for these kinds of ideas.”
‘Starters are not difficult’
The houses in the Zaanstreek should cost a maximum of around 180,000 euros. At the beginning of February, the 21-year-old has talks with Söngul Mutluer, the alderman who deals with housing. If there is a green light from the municipality, a piece of land can be searched for and the pilot in the Zaan region can start.
The Hembrugterrein Mirte itself seems very cool, but everything up to Zaandijk is fine as far as the Zaanse twenties are concerned. “I don’t think we are very difficult as starters.”
–
