As part of the efforts to address the nation's acute housing shortage, experts in housing want some rules on property-building opportunities reduced in Holland. They caution that if nothing is done the bottleneck will mean thousands more people spend years desperately trying to find somewhere they can afford and the chance of home ownership will pass further out of reach for many.
3 months Ago
A Shortage Felt in Every City
The housing crisis is not just a word anymore, across The Netherlands you can find it on Amhedam or Groningen. Some families are being kept in one-bedroom flats because they cannot be rehoused even though everyone agrees they need a bigger place.
Experts say much of the hangover can be blamed on overly rigid building codes, restrictive zoning rules and approval processes that mean construction takes longer than it needs to.
“We Need to Build, Not Block”
But urban planners and economists consistently say that as important as environmental and safety regulations are, the system in use is weighted up front, causing unnecessary delays and multiplying costs.
“Not proposing to completely do away with every safeguard,” Highlighted one housing policy researcher.
"Others aren't so sure — But with thousands of people living on the street, we have to start questioning whether a few rules are actually making things worse.
" Builders note that speedier approvals and streamlined regulations could allow for new housing ideas from modular homes to unutilized office property conversions.
The Human Toll of Red Tape
The statistics translate into stories — of students sleeping on couches while they wait for somewhere to live, couples living in cramped starter appartments lo.
Copyright @ 2024 IBRA Digital