Dutch commission to examine housing associations’ long-term finances

The Dutch government has appointed a commission to examine how to strengthen the long-term finances of housing associations, which it says could reach the limits of their borrowing capacity within a decade under the current system.

The commission is due to advise the cabinet in 2027. Its work comes as housing associations face a target from 2029 to build 30,000 social-rent homes and 5,000 mid-market rental homes a year. Under national agreements, they are also expected to invest €115 billion over the next ten years in new homes, sustainability upgrades and neighbourhood liveability.

The government says rent income is increasingly failing to cover the costs of building, maintaining and managing affordable homes. Measures have already been taken to increase associations’ investment capacity in the short term, but the government says a more sustainable financing model is needed for the longer term.

The eight-member commission is chaired by Eric Wiebes. Its other members are Marieke Bolhaar, Paulus Jansen, Anke Klein, Karin Laglas, Gerard van Olphen, Maarten van Poelgeest and Martin van Rijn. The government says they bring experience in housing, research, finance and public administration.