Measures for problems on the housing market

The fact that there are too few privately-owned homes for the number of house hunters is evident from:

• The number of people actively looking for a property. Many people want to move but cannot find a home. This applies to inexpensive, mid-range and expensive homes. Also see the Begin external link: report on The Hague’s housing market (RIS313365, appendix 1)(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).
• The Begin external link: average selling price of a property in The Hague(External link), end external link. rose from € 232,000 in 2014 to € 346,000 in 2019. In 2021 the average sales price was € 440,783.

The fact that there are too few rental properties for people looking for a home is evident from:

• Higher rents. The rent for a square metre in non-social rental housing rose by 6.7% in the past year. This is evident from Begin external link: Ecosys survey (RIS305820, appendix)(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).

• The municipality has implemented an Begin link: affordable housing permit, end link. for the social housing rental sector and the mid-market rental sector. This permit is necessary to be able to rent a property. A landlord is not allowed to rent a property to someone without a permit. As a result inexpensive and mid-market rental homes will go to people with matching incomes.
• At least 20% of the new homes for rent have a rent below €985 (price level 2020). Half of these mid-market rental homes have a rent below € 880 (price level 2020).
• In the case of new buildings, 20% of the privately-owned homes must be affordable.

• The municipality wants to build more homes per year than previously agreed. Even with more homes, there should be 30% social housing throughout the city. The municipality expects housing associations to be the first to build social housing.
• The rules for applying for a Begin link: declaration of urgency, end link. will become clearer. Only people who really need it can receive a declaration of urgency.
• At least 5% of the social housing that becomes available is for first-time home buyers.
• The municipality wants to ensure that people who have too much space move to a more suitable home. This way more social housing will become available.
• The municipality sometimes buys or sells land itself for the construction of social housing and starter homes.

• It is possible to divide 1 property into 2 or more apartments. Begin link: Stricter rules for holiday rentals, end link. improve the quality of life in the neighbourhoods and keep homes available for home seekers.
• The Hague implemented purchase protection on 1 March 2022. This gives people seeking a home to live in themselves more chances on the housing market.

• There is a huge shortage of teachers, police officers and health care workers. The municipality wants to help people with Begin link: these professions, end link. to find a home. This should make it more attractive for them to live in The Hague.
• There will be more space available for caravan sites. There will be extra measures to help students, the elderly, labour migrants, and people with special needs find accommodation.