The Municipality of Eindhoven, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Woonbedrijf/Vestide, and the Student Housing Foundation (SSH) will jointly focus on building student housing in the coming years. The parties aim to realize 5,400 new social student homes over the next eight years.
To formalize the cooperation, the partners signed a letter of intent today. The Student Housing Foundation (SSH), active in multiple Dutch cities, has expressed its intention to contribute to the student housing construction task in Eindhoven.
This makes Eindhoven one of the largest expansions of student housing in the Netherlands. This is urgently needed as Eindhoven faces a growing shortage of student housing. Through this cooperation, the partners will reduce the current shortage and contribute to the regions growth ambitions. With the signing of the letter of intent, SSH also announces its commitment to Eindhoven. SSH is one of the largest student housing corporations in the Netherlands.
Student housing providers To realize the required student housing, housing corporations (socially admitted parties) specialized in the development and management of social student units are needed.
The Student Housing Foundation (SSH) is a suitable partner for this. This housing corporation rents out over 19,000 student rooms in Utrecht, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Zwolle, Amersfoort, and Groningen. The intention is to build a portfolio of approximately 2,000 student units in Eindhoven in a short time. SSH aims to further grow in Eindhoven if possible. Woonbedrijf/Vestide will also continue investing, aiming to realize about 1,200 student units by 2040.
Developments at fifteen locations The partners have jointly looked at locations in the city where student housing is possible and desirable. Currently, work is underway on about fifteen projects spread across Eindhoven. Some are already known, such as the development at Dorgelolaan (about 1,000 student units), the former VGZ building near the station (about 130), TU/e Hondsheuvels (at least 750), the Fontys Rachelsmolen campus (about 350), the Máxima site (about 500), Section C (250-400), and De Caai (about 250). For other locations, steps are still being taken with landowners and residents before these are publicly announced.
Realization power through the Beethoven program and successful cooperation To ensure feasible financial business cases, resources from the Beethoven program are being used. This can help projects get off the ground faster. Finally, the partners have set up a strong joint organization to monitor progress and quickly resolve bottlenecks. A steering team with management members from the Municipality of Eindhoven, TU/e, Fontys, SSH, and Woonbedrijf/Vestide, together with the student housing managers of the involved parties, directs decision-making and cooperation.
The Municipality of Eindhoven supports the plans by designating areas for student housing, accelerating procedures where possible, and removing obstacles. A student housing coordinator has been appointed to drive projects and achieve breakthroughs where possible.
TU/e and Fontys both realize additional student housing on their campuses. In addition, the educational institutions, including vocational education, provide student number forecasts, contribute ideas about housing concepts, and help build community in new student complexes.
Quotes Rob Donninger, director/manager SSH: “When the request came to help solve the student housing shortage in Eindhoven, we took this signal seriously immediately. It is our mission to solve the housing shortage for students and to realize student housing where students can live together pleasantly and have a great student time. We have been warmly welcomed in Eindhoven and are enthusiastic about the ambitions. In the coming months, we will investigate whether we can really get the construction of new homes in Eindhoven off the ground.”
Alderman for housing Mieke Verhees: “We have a large, urgent task for student housing. With the arrival of SSH, we get a large, experienced party that can really make a difference. Together with Woonbedrijf/Vestide, they are committed to affordable student housing. We see a great need for non-independent student housing, where students have contact with each other and really live together, so they have a good start in our city.”
The photo shows on the left Magda Ooms, Director of Real Estate. Next to her is Rob Donninger from SSH. To the right is Alice Jansen from Woonbedrijf. Mieke Verhees, with Patrick Groothuis, vice-chairman of the TU/e Executive Board, to her right.