The Province of Zeeland allocates €1,075,000 to repurpose vacant buildings and improve the quality of the environment. This involves buildings in Arnemuiden, Baarland, Hulst, Middelburg, Zierikzee, and Zonnemaire.
The scheme allows municipalities, institutions, businesses, and individuals to apply for a subsidy to carry out work to transform vacant buildings into sustainable homes. This concerns vacant buildings that are iconic or disruptive in appearance.
The HELP scheme has existed since 2021. This year, the scheme has been adjusted, with fewer points awarded for sustainability . The total point system is changing, which means that projects that were previously not possible may now sometimes be feasible. Furthermore, the Province actively collaborates on project applications. They also consider the possibilities offered by the Area-Oriented Approach to Housing (GAW). Sometimes an application may not meet the criteria of the HELP scheme, but the GAW sometimes provides opportunities if the surrounding space around the building is also addressed.
38 (affordable) homes added
The subsidies go to initiators who can tackle various types of buildings, such as vacant offices, hospitality, shops, bank buildings, and barns. With this investment, a total of 38 (rental) homes will become available. The homes are particularly for starters and seniors (homes without stairs).
Locations
The following projects have received subsidies:
• Baarland: In a former cold store in the built-up area of Baarland, 4 homes will be realized
• Hulst: Redevelopment of a residential-commercial complex is being transformed by the housing corporation into eight gasless zero-step apartments for singles, seniors, and starters
• Hoek Langstraat Marktstraat Arnemuiden: 2 apartments and 1 business space will be realized in the vacant part of the shop building.
• Dam Middelburg: Vacant office/showroom will be transformed into a residential complex with twelve apartments
• Zierikzee: National monument Huis De Haene, the oldest building in Zierikzee, will be transformed into four social rental homes and two mid-rent homes and a small
shop space.
• Zonnemaire: The primary school in Zonnemaire closed in 2018. The former school building will be demolished and replaced by six social rental homes.
In 2026, this scheme will be reopened. For more information, visit www.zeeland.nl.
