Social Housing in the Netherlands

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Social Housing in the Netherlands

• Angélique van Herwijnen, Legal Service
• Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the
  Environment

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Outline

• Facts on social housing
• National aid measures
• Notification (2002) and withdrawl (2004)
• European Commission 2005
• Policy letters (2005/2006)
• Definition public service obligation within
  EU-conditions

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1. Facts on social housing

• NL 7 mln dwellings
• Rental sector 3 mln
• Housing corporations
• 2,4 mln (slight decrease)
• Average value 135,000 rent 390
• Affordable housing up to the housing allowance
  ceiling
• Extra effort in neighbourhoods with socioeconomic
  problems

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2. National aid measures

• Social Housing Guarantee Fund gives guarantees
  for loans to housing corporations. The Fund has a
  government safety net (guarantee).
• Central Housing Fund gives rationalisation and
  project aid with levies paid by the housing
  corporations. Conditions for the Fund are
  regulated by law.
• Corporate tax reduction until jan.2008
• Loans Bank Dutch Municipalities MEIP

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3. Notification and withdrawl

• Notification in 2002
• Withdrawl in 2004 political and legal reasons
• Investigation existing aid measure

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4. European Commission 2005

• Art.17 Letter Commission services
• 2005
• Existing aid, but not in accordance
• Definition social housing clearly demarcated
  public services obligation
• Clear definition in relation to the people
• Clear dividing line activities in return for
  compensation and activities in competition
• Parameters to show no overcompensation reduction
  of houses in stock not assigned to disadvanced
  citizens

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5. Policy letter

• Proposal in 2005 (policy letter)
• Parliament 2006
• Amended/elaborated proposals in 2006

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Thank you

• More information
• Angelique.vanherwijnen_at_minvrom.nl