Government

Builders, investors, and developers, as well as local government, are putting pressure on the parties currently negotiating to form a new government to bring back the concept of a minister for housing, a position which was phased out several years ago.

They argue that the shortage of housing is so acute – some one million new homes will be needed in the Netherlands in the coming years – that it will take someone with national government powers to boost the supply of homes and flats.

‘At the moment everyone is focusing on their own particular area and we are not looking at the bigger picture,’ says Henk. ‘There are initiatives like the tiny house movement, but I would be interested to see what we can do with all the excess offices and the new ones which are being built.

‘We should think more about the multi-use of space. No one has a desk anymore with a drawer full of their own stuff. We are moving to more sustainable ways of living, as well. Households are shrinking in size and that means a big increase in the number of homes that we need. So we need much more innovation. I would really support the appointment of someone who can cut through the self-interest and solve the wider issues.’