Minister Mona Keijzer: “The National Heat Fund reaches people who were previously not at all concerned with energy saving. Properly insulating your home is becoming increasingly normal. This is also true for people with low and middle incomes.” Almost all homeowners are eligible for a loan from the National Heat Fund. Homeowners with a total income of up to € 60,000 are eligible for an interest-free loan.

In 2024, nearly 21,000 private homeowners took out a loan from the National Heat Fund. This is more than ten percent more than in 2023 when it was about 19,000 owners. The majority of these homeowners (58%) were eligible for an interest-free loan. In previous years, homeowners from lower income groups hardly used the National Heat Fund. This changed with the introduction of the interest-free loan at the end of 2022. At that time, it was also ensured that almost all homeowners could access the National Heat Fund. Thus, people without borrowing capacity and people aged 75 and older are also eligible for a loan.

Homeowners Associations (VvE’s) can also take out a loan from the National Heat Fund. This is important, as VvE’s are lagging behind in taking energy-saving measures. In 2024, the National Heat Fund granted 235 loans to VvE’s with a total of over eight thousand households. This is a doubling compared to 2023. The expectation is that these numbers will continue to grow in 2025. The minister offers Homeowners Associations a helping hand and continues the interest discount. In addition, she arranges a legislative amendment that will simplify internal decision-making. An independent national knowledge center has also been opened. Starting this fall, apartment owners can go there with their questions, but the website is already available.

The government program has agreed to continue with interest-free loans for energy-saving measures for homeowners with low or middle incomes through the National Heat Fund. This investment in security of existence is supported by the entire cabinet. Therefore, the extra funds come from the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO), the climate fund of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG), and the Social Climate Fund. This is a European Fund for which the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) will submit an application. The European Commission will assess the application this fall. Minister Keijzer will add the funds to the fund as soon as both Houses agree to the budget amendments. With these funds, the National Heat Fund can grow in the coming years so that many more households can benefit from an energy-efficient home.