5000 New Student Housing Units, but Shortage Remains Large

By 2029, there are concrete construction plans for 11,600 housing units in the 30 largest student cities and surrounding municipalities. In addition, there are preliminary plans for 9600 housing units. The National Action Plan for Student Housing (LAS) agreed in 2022 to create 60,000 additional student housing units by 2030. In the past 3 years, 15,000 housing units have already been completed.

The central government, municipalities, educational institutions, housing providers, knowledge center Kences, and students continue to work together within the National Platform for Student Housing (LPS) to tackle the shortage.

The shortage of student housing seems to be slowly decreasing over the coming years. By 2029, it is expected to drop to around 32,500, where it was previously estimated at 60,000. The shortage depends on future demand for rooms. If there is more supply, more students may wish to move out of their homes. This year, the shortage in the 19 largest student cities slightly decreased because there were fewer students and fewer students living at home wanted to live independently.

Minister Keijzer: “The Netherlands is facing a housing crisis, and this certainly applies to student housing. Therefore, we are working closely within the LPS to quickly build more housing so that everyone who wants to can live in student accommodation. The figures regarding the sale of private homes concern me. This fall, I will send a proposal to the House of Representatives with measures to make renting more attractive for private owners, including the possibility of temporary rental contracts for all students. I also urge municipalities to be more flexible with requests for shared housing so that students can live together.”

With the package of changes to the housing valuation system (WWS), it becomes more profitable for private landlords to rent out independent living space. Additionally, they should again be able to offer temporary rental contracts to students. With the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act, the point prices within the housing valuation system for non-independent housing (WWSO), which was already binding for the law, have been increased by 25%.

For a room, more rent can be charged, but the housing remains affordable for students. This should ensure that owners continue to rent out their properties instead of selling them. Private landlords will soon be further informed about all the possibilities to continue renting rooms. The total supply of student housing in the 19 largest student cities consists of 322,400 housing units, half of which are owned by private owners.

Through the Housing Arrangement for Target Groups (RHA), Minister Keijzer made an additional €30 million available at the end of June for the accelerated realization of especially non-independent student rooms (with shared facilities like bathrooms and living rooms). In addition to new construction, better utilization of existing buildings is also promising. Therefore, shared housing is being encouraged, and the minister is working on a legislative amendment to make hospitable renting more attractive.

The cabinet is working on managing the influx of international students. With a more selective and targeted study migration policy, fewer student rooms are needed.

The LPS has been expanded to include the MBO Council, JOBmbo, and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences. The new members will specifically focus on MBO and HBO students. This is urgently needed. Especially MBO students often find it difficult to find a room.