Drenthe builds 1,609 new homes in 2025 despite nationwide housing challenges
Drenthe is making progress in tackling its housing shortage by constructing 1,609 new homes in 2025, with 68% in the affordable segment. Collaborative efforts between local governments, builders, and care partners are helping residents find suitable and future-proof housing despite nationwide obstacles.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| New homes built in 2025 | 1,609 |
| Affordable homes (2025) | 68% (38% social housing) |
| Homes in the pipeline | 2,918 (permits granted or construction started) |
| Revived stalled projects | 7 (via Drenthe Acceleration Table) |
| Households over 55 | 1 in 2 |
| Focus areas | Accelerating construction, housing & care, future-proofing the housing stock |
| Upcoming regulations | Stricter CO₂ reduction in construction from 2030 |
The Province of Drenthe plays a coordinating role in addressing regional housing challenges by facilitating collaboration between municipalities, housing corporations, builders, and care partners. It also implements provincial programs to accelerate construction, improve housing accessibility, and promote sustainable building practices.
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Housing construction in Drenthe on track
Thanks to the joint efforts of municipalities, housing corporations, builders, residents, care partners and the province, Drenthe is managing to keep housing construction on track. This is evident from the Housing Report 2025 (pdf, 3.6 MB). Despite nationwide challenges such as nitrogen emissions, an overloaded power grid and labour shortages, parties are working together to bring suitable and affordable housing closer for every resident.
Deputy Yvonne Turenhout: "The task is substantial, but by working together we keep housing construction moving and are building a Drenthe where every resident can find a home."
Drenthe is focusing on three key pillars: accelerating housing construction, strengthening housing and care, and making the housing stock future-proof. The Housing Report 2025 shows the steps partners have taken along these three pillars.
Accelerating housing construction
The pressure on housing construction is increasing due to nitrogen emissions, grid congestion and labour shortages. That is precisely why Drenthe is working towards a collective scale-up. The Housing Impulse Team supports municipalities with complex projects and supplementing administrative capacity. The Drenthe Acceleration Table also helps get stalled projects back on track. In 2025, seven projects were revived through this approach.
Despite the challenges, the housing stock continues to grow. In 2025, 1,609 new homes were built in Drenthe. Of these new-build homes, 68% fell into the affordable segment, including 38% social housing. In addition, 2,918 homes are in the pipeline for which permits have already been granted or construction has started.
Housing is more than just a roof over your head
A second major challenge is ageing: one in two households in Drenthe is over the age of 55. This increases the demand for homes that cater to the needs of older residents and those who wish to live independently for longer. That is why the province, together with Zilveren Kruis, has appointed a regional housing and care process manager. This manager works with municipalities, housing corporations and care partners to develop housing and care solutions from the outset.
Future-proof construction
Making the housing stock future-proof is another key pillar. New European regulations will require stronger CO₂ reduction in construction from 2030 onwards. Drenthe is combining this challenge with concrete actions, such as the Biobased Insulation campaign and the sustainable renovation of the Versnellingshoeve in Frederiksoord. Here, farmers, builders and knowledge partners are collaborating on circular solutions. In addition, interest in the Circular Construction course is growing, with the course fully booked twice in 2025 and set to be offered again in 2026. This is how Drenthe is gradually working towards a sustainable construction chain.
Looking ahead to 2026
In 2026, Drenthe will continue to work along the same three pillars to deliver affordable, suitable and future-proof housing. This will be done through the Provincial Housing Programme, accelerating planning processes, strengthening housing and care solutions and promoting biobased and circular construction.