New Rules for Housing in Haarlem

From now on, the same rules for allocating housing apply in all municipalities of Zuid-Kennemerland and IJmond. This makes it clearer for home seekers how they can obtain a home.

Priority for Haarlem residents and vital professions

In new construction projects, Haarlem residents will now have priority. Half of all new homes will be rented out with priority. This allows residents to move faster to a suitable home. For corporation homes, this rule applies immediately. For other new homes, this applies later this year. The order of priority is clear: first Haarlem residents, then home seekers from the region, and then other home seekers. People with vital professions, such as healthcare workers and teachers, also get a faster chance at a home. There was already a pilot for these groups. That arrangement remains.

Fair urgency rules

The urgency rules are the same throughout the region. There is also a new category for social situations, such as homelessness with minor children after a breakup or a large income drop. An urgency application can be made via Urgentieverklaring.

More possibilities for house splitting

Also in and around the center, large homes may be split under conditions. This was not allowed there before. The minimum size after splitting a home is 50m2. It was previously 80m2. This way, we better utilize existing homes. 

Better protection of affordable homes 

The new Housing Regulation aims to provide more clarity about the rules for living and renting, better protection of affordable homes, and more control over the distribution of scarce housing.