On Friday, November 21, the tenant organizations MEVM, Samen Sterk, and the Tenants Federation presented the research report Future-Proofing and Regional Cooperation of Tenant Representation in Drenthe to Deputy Yvonne Turenhout of the Province of Drenthe and Melanie Maatman, director of housing corporation Actium. They did this on behalf of all tenant organizations in Drenthe. The report outlines how tenant organizations in Drenthe can strengthen themselves and better collaborate with housing corporations, municipalities, and the province to ensure the tenants voice remains well heard in the future.
From left to right: Melanie Maatman (Actium), Yvonne Turenhout (Province of Drenthe), Marcel Bomers (MEVM), Marianne Hilbolling (Woonbond), Willem Prins (Samen Sterk), Peter Vereijken (Samen Sterk), and Niels van Schaik (KAW)
The research was conducted by KAW on behalf of the joint tenant organizations of Drenthe because the current way tenants are represented is under pressure. Board positions are difficult to fill, the work is complex and time-consuming, and contact with the constituency is hard to establish. At the same time, the importance of cooperation at regional and provincial levels is growing, as more housing agreements are made not only locally but also provincially.
Future-Proof Tenant Representation
The research provides guidelines for future-proof tenant representation in Drenthe. Central to this are three interconnected themes: the formation of a stronger provincial consultation level where tenants are represented with a single mandate, relieving and professionalizing boards through knowledge sharing and cooperation, and increasing tenant involvement through new forms of participation such as resident panels, committees, and thematic meetings. Each tenant organization decides which recommendations to adopt.
Marcel Bomers, chairman of tenant association MEVM: “We notice daily how important it is that tenants are truly heard. This research shows that with more cooperation, innovation, and professional support, we can strengthen that voice. We see this as a starting point for a new phase of cooperation in Drenthe.”
Stronger Position
The research shows that the current structure is not future-proof, but there is a strong foundation to build upon. The involvement of tenant representatives is high, and housing corporations, municipalities, and the province recognize the importance of their role. By working more closely together, sharing knowledge, and developing new forms of participation, tenant organizations can strengthen their position at both local and regional levels. In the coming period, both the boards of the Drenthe tenant organizations and the regional consultations will use the report as an important starting point for further discussions.
Yvonne Turenhout, deputy of the Province of Drenthe, and Melanie Maatman, director of Actium: “A strong tenant voice is indispensable for good housing policy. This research provides direction on how we can jointly strengthen that voice. It offers a clear starting point to further develop cooperation in Drenthe. By working together, we ensure that tenants can count on good representation in the future.”
