Like in the rest of the Netherlands, many people in our municipality are looking for housing. Especially young people and those living alone find it difficult to find something affordable. At the same time, bedrooms or even floors in larger family homes are increasingly empty because only one person lives there.

Sharing or splitting homes

Since 2018, we have been working together with the housing corporations in s-Hertogenbosch to create more living space by sharing or splitting rental homes. Now we want to make this easier for people with owner-occupied homes as well. We will help and advise them if they want to share or split their home.

Alderman Pieter Paul Slikker: “The housing shortage is significant. New construction alone is not enough. That is why we want to use existing homes better. We are already doing this extensively in the rental sector together with the corporations. To encourage homeowners to take the step to split or share, we want a special team. With that team, we can ensure that about 100 to 150 additional housing units become available each year.”

More help for homeowners

We want to better inform homeowners about home sharing, splitting, room rental, and hospitation. There is interest, but it often fails because they do not know how it works or what is possible. Homeowners who want to start with this will be further assisted so that those who already want to can realize it. Where possible, we will simplify rules and procedures. This will make it easier to get started. We ask the municipal council to make a budget available for this.

Home sharing can be interesting, for example, for two young people who just started working, have to leave their student housing, and cannot afford to buy a home. An older resident can split their home and let a caregiver live in the other part. Room rental also helps students and young people who want to stay in our municipality.

Greater chance of housing

This way, we not only create extra living space but also more opportunities for people who want to live together and possibly care for each other. And we especially help singles, young people, and starters get more chances for housing. Moreover, these living arrangements strengthen the neighborhood: more residents mean more facilities, more meetings, and more liveliness.