Meerssen residents invited to shape future of housing and care for vulnerable groups
The Municipality of Meerssen is seeking public input on its draft Housing and Care Vision for 2026, which aims to address housing needs for the elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable groups. Your feedback could influence local policies affecting daily life and support services.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Document | Draft Housing and Care Vision for Meerssen 2026 |
| Public Consultation Period | 2 April 2026 – 13 May 2026 |
| Target Groups | Vulnerable elderly, disabled residents, psychiatric patients, young adults |
| Legal Basis | Housing Act (Wet versterking regie volkshuisvesting), effective 1 July 2026 |
| Submission Methods | Mail: PO Box 90, 6230 AB Meerssen or email |
| Council Decision | Planned for 25 June 2026 (or 17 September 2026) |
| Contact | Customer Contact Centre: 14 043 |
The Municipality of Meerssen is responsible for implementing national housing policies at the local level, ensuring that vulnerable groups have access to adequate housing and care. This draft vision is part of their statutory duty to align local housing programs with broader social and environmental goals.
Read the full translated article below
Municipality of Meerssen | Public consultation on draft Housing and Care Vision for Meerssen 2026
News item
The Executive Board of the Municipality of Meerssen approved on 31 March 2026 the submission of the draft Housing and Care Vision for Meerssen 2026 for broad public consultation. We invite the residents of Meerssen to contribute their thoughts and respond to the draft Housing and Care Vision.
Housing and Care Vision
The Housing Act (Wet versterking regie volkshuisvesting) is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2026. This Act requires municipalities to draw up a Housing Programme, of which a vision on housing and care (Housing and Care Vision) will become a component. The Housing and Care Vision will thus be legally anchored.
Objective
The aim is to build sufficient (lifespan-proof) housing for the elderly and target groups. Which groups these are is explained later in this article. The Housing and Care Vision provides insight into the municipality’s ambitions in relation to the housing and care challenge and how the municipality intends to address it. It also connects with the housing construction programme.
The result is an overview of the housing needs of vulnerable target groups with a care and support requirement. It also provides insight into how this challenge can be addressed. With the Housing and Care Vision, the municipality is also fulfilling its regulatory role as part of its statutory tasks in the areas of housing (social housing), environment and the social domain.
In practice, the Housing and Care Vision serves as a guiding compass for collaboration with all involved social partners. The housing and care challenge is part of the municipality’s Housing Programme and the starting point for regional alignment (which will take place under the new Housing Act).
The focus in the development of the Housing and Care Vision is on target groups and/or urgent groups with a care or support requirement. These include:
- vulnerable elderly, i.e. older residents who have difficulty maintaining control over their lives and thus preserving their independence (definition by RIVM).
- residents of all ages with physical or intellectual disabilities.
- residents with severe psychiatric disorders or (complex) psychosocial problems, or residents who fall under the target group of 'protected housing' or 'social relief'.
- vulnerable young people, young people with upbringing and parenting problems, young people with psychological problems and young adults who turn 18 and leave youth care.
Viewing
You can view the draft Housing and Care Vision from 2 April 2026 to 13 May 2026 via officieelbekendmakingen.nl. The annex is available under 'View documents' (left column). Would you prefer to view the documents at the town hall? That is also possible. To do so, make an appointment by calling 14 043.
Responding?
You can respond to the draft Housing and Care Vision for Meerssen 2026 from 2 April 2026 to 13 May 2026. You can send your written public consultation response to: Executive Board of the Municipality of Meerssen, PO Box 90, 6230 AB Meerssen. Or respond by email. Your response will be taken into account in the further decision-making process. The municipal council will discuss the definitive Housing and Care Vision. We are aiming for the council meeting on 25 June 2026, but after this afternoon’s Executive Board meeting we will hear whether the portfolio holder prefers to postpone it to 17 September 2026.
Questions? Make an appointment?
Contact the municipal Customer Contact Centre by calling 14 043. Or send an email to .