Housing Shortage in the Netherlands Reaches 401,000: ABF Research

Discover the latest statistics on the housing shortage in the Netherlands, with 401,000 households in need of accommodation. Learn about the government's target and the required construction of 232,000 new homes.

The housing shortage in the Netherlands has increased slightly this year, reaching a total of 401,000 according to research bureau ABF. This figure is based on the number of households or single individuals who are in need of housing but are unable to find suitable accommodation. The shortage includes young adults living with their parents and families residing in temporary holiday rental properties. Currently, the shortage accounts for 4.9% of the housing stock, far exceeding the government's target of a maximum 2% deficit. To address this issue, the construction of 232,000 new homes is required this year.

The government's plan includes the development of two-thirds of these new homes as "affordable" housing, targeting low and middle-income households with annual earnings below €66,000. However, recent measures to increase the number of properties under rent controls have led to landlords selling smaller rental homes once they become vacant. This trend is evident in cities like Den Bosch, where only two properties fall within the affordable price range of under €1158 on popular rental housing websites like Funda and Pararius. Similarly, in Utrecht, there is only one affordable property listed, while in Amsterdam, there are just two properties available, one of which is a 30 square meter unit priced at €1,108.

The housing shortage in the Netherlands remains a pressing issue, with the government striving to meet the demand for affordable housing through the construction of new homes. However, challenges such as the impact of rent control measures on the rental market continue to pose obstacles in addressing the shortage effectively.