Losser expands home splitting to rural areas to tackle housing shortage
Residents of Losser, especially first-time buyers, young families, and over-55s, may soon find more affordable housing options as the municipality allows splitting homes in rural areas. This move aims to increase housing supply without using additional land, directly impacting local housing availability.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Losser |
| Policy Change | Allowing home splitting in rural areas |
| Current Policy Status | Public inspection period (6 weeks starting March 26, 2024) |
| Target Groups | First-time buyers, young families, over-55s |
| Example of Home Splitting | Detached home of 750 m³ split into two smaller homes |
| Location for Public Inspection | ’t Lossers hoes |
| Coordination with | Province of Overijssel |
| Prerequisite for Splitting | Improvement of spatial quality and landscape integration |
The Municipality of Losser is responsible for local housing policy and urban planning within its jurisdiction. By adjusting policy rules, the municipality aims to address housing shortages and meet the needs of specific demographic groups without expanding land use.
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Municipality of Losser Allows Home Splitting in Rural Areas
The need for housing in the municipality of Losser is significant. For this reason, the municipal executive (B&W) decided as early as September 2023 to allow the splitting of homes and plots within the built-up areas of the villages. The executive now also wants to extend this possibility to rural areas and permit home splitting there.
This requires an amendment to the Policy Rules on Home and Plot Splitting and Living in Characteristic and Monumental Buildings. The amended policy rules will be available for public inspection for six weeks starting March 26 at ’t Lossers hoes.
The municipal executive aims to use the instrument of home splitting more broadly to increase the housing supply. For example, a detached home of 750 m³ in a rural area could be divided into two smaller homes. This way, residents searching for affordable and smaller living spaces in rural areas have a better chance of finding a suitable home.
Focus on First-Time Buyers, Young Families, and Over-55s
The municipal housing policy focuses on first-time buyers, young families, and over-55s with (future) care needs. Alderman Lahdo explains: “By making smarter use of existing homes, we add housing without additional land use. This creates opportunities for first-time buyers, young families, and over-55s who wish to continue living in their own environment.”
To steer this effectively, the new policy rules state that the additional homes—both in terms of quantity (quantitative) and type of housing/target group (qualitative)—must align with the current municipal housing policy.”
Improving Spatial Quality is a Prerequisite
To enable home splitting in rural areas, coordination has taken place with the Province of Overijssel. One requirement set by the province was that this development in rural areas must contribute to improving spatial quality. For this reason, the policy rules also include the condition that, when splitting a home, the property must be carefully integrated into the landscape.”
Policy Rules Available for Public Inspection for Six Weeks
The amended policy rules will be available for public inspection for six weeks starting March 26, pursuant to the municipal participation decree, at ’t Lossers hoes. After this period, the municipal executive will make a final decision.