Since 2020, Utrecht has granted priority for certain roles in the police, healthcare, and education sectors – under certain conditions – for social housing. Since 2024, the scheme has been expanded to include childcare and volunteer firefighters, and it also applies to mid-rent housing. Alderman Dennis de Vries (Housing): “Even in Utrecht, we are in need of police and fire personnel, teachers, and healthcare and childcare professionals. They are crucial for the city. Yet, it is particularly difficult for these individuals to find affordable housing in Utrecht. The priority for professions helps with that.” 

The municipality pays a certain amount per application. In the budget of the municipality of Utrecht, financial room has been reserved for a maximum of 460 applications for the year 2025. Utrecht is receiving more applications this year than expected. One reason is that the scheme is becoming increasingly well-known – partly because it was expanded in 2024. Additionally, submitting an application is free of charge, resulting in a low threshold for applying. However, not all applications meet the conditions, leading to a high rejection rate; 70% of all applicants received a rejection in the past four years. Therefore, the municipality of Utrecht is exploring the possibility of charging fees for the vital professions priority application starting in 2026. De Vries: “It is about finding a balance. On one hand, you want to make it as easy and accessible as possible to apply for priority for professions, while on the other hand, the scheme costs quite a bit of money. Therefore, we are looking for the best way to implement the scheme for those individuals who – given the conditions – can also claim the priority scheme.” 

Of the number of granted applications – since the implementation, there have been a total of 352 – at least 175 applicants have actually been able to find housing in the city. These individuals with a vital profession might have otherwise moved and worked elsewhere, with negative consequences for the local labor market. The other half likely found housing through other means. The application form for the vital professions priority will go offline after the 460^th application. If additional budget is allocated for the scheme, priority for vital professions will be resumed in 2026.