Regionale Woon Agenda 2017 – Holland Rijnland Regional Housing Strategy
The Regionale Woon Agenda 2017 (RWA 2017) is the strategic housing policy framework for the Holland Rijnland region, comprising 14 municipalities. Issued on February 20, 2018, by the regional authority, this document replaces the December 2014 edition. It establishes a qualitative and quantitative course for the housing market up to the year 2030, operating under the national legal framework of the Besluit Ruimtelijke Ordening and the Ladder voor Duurzame Verstedelijking (Ladder for Sustainable Urbanization).
The agenda identifies a regional housing demand for approximately 30,000 additional households. It categorizes regulatory focus across several domains, including social housing (sociale huur), mid-sector rental (middeldure huur), and affordable owner-occupied homes (goedkope koop). The document is structured into four main chapters supported by seven technical appendices, covering market analyses, social housing demand, housing environments (woonmilieus), and regional coordination systems. It defines specific housing targets based on the Woningbehoefteraming (WBR) and Bevolkingsprognose (BP) from the Province of Zuid-Holland.
The following sections detail the regional criteria for plan categorization, market segments, and the environmental factors affecting construction, such as soil subsidence and accessibility.
Quantitative Housing Targets and Demand (2017-2030)
The region utilizes two primary forecasts to determine housing need: the Woningbehoefteraming (WBR), which focuses on autonomous regional growth, and the Bevolkingsprognose (BP), which accounts for broader regional migration and external pressure from the Amsterdam and The Hague agglomerations.
- Regional Target: A need for 23,500 to 30,000 new homes by 2030.
- Annual Production: Estimated at 1,700 to 2,200 dwellings per year to meet immediate demand.
- The 'Boeggolf': A planned surge in production between 2017 and 2024 to address backlogs from the previous economic crisis.
Categorization of Building Plans
To manage the pipeline of housing projects, the RWA 2017 classifies residential developments into four categories based on their legal status and implementation readiness.
- Category 1: Directly executable plans with irrevocable zoning (bestemmingsplannen) or those in final design/realization stages.
- Category 2: Current opportunities, including plans without a developer or those in draft stages (voorontwerp).
- Category 3: Uncertain plans not expected within five years or those lacking a clear vision.
- Category 4: Projects based on specific administrative agreements (bestuurlijke afspraken) between the province and municipalities, such as Valkenburg, Braassemerland, and the Duivenvoordecorridor.
Qualitative Segments and Social Requirements
The RWA 2017 mandates a minimum percentage of affordable housing to prevent market displacement (verdringing) of low- and middle-income groups.
- Social Housing: A minimum of 25% of all new additions must be social rental units.
- Mid-Sector Rental: Defined as units with monthly rents between €700 and €900.
- Affordable Purchase: Defined as homes with a purchase price below €187,000 (2017 price level).
- Target Groups: Specific focus is given to 'spoedzoekers' (urgent seekers), students (with a target of 2,700 units in Leiden), and the elderly.
Regional Housing Environments (Woonmilieus)
The document identifies nine distinct housing environments as defined by the Province of Zuid-Holland to ensure a varied regional offering.
- Urban Environments: Binnenstad (City Center), Levendige stadswijk (Lively urban district), and Rustige stadswijk (Quiet urban district).
- Suburban Environments: Luxe stadswijk (Luxury urban district), Woonwijk laag- en hoogbouw (Mixed residential), and Woonwijk laagbouw (Low-rise residential).
- Rural/Village Environments: Luxe woonwijk (Luxury residential), Dorps (Village), and Landelijk (Rural).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum percentage for social housing in new projects?
The Regionale Woon Agenda 2017 sets a minimum norm of 25% social housing for the total regional housing addition to address current shortages and future growth.
What are the price limits for mid-sector rental and affordable purchase?
Mid-sector rental is defined as having a monthly rent between €700 and €900, while affordable purchase homes are priced up to €187,000.
How many additional homes are required in the Holland Rijnland region by 2030?
The region aims to accommodate approximately 30,000 additional households, with a total requirement for new construction estimated between 23,500 and 30,000 units.
How does soil subsidence affect housing development in the region?
New developments in the 'Groene Hart' must weigh the risks of soil subsidence (bodemdaling) against water management costs and flood risks, favoring smart combinations of water storage and 'water-living'.
What is the policy regarding 'infill' versus 'expansion' locations?
Priority is given to infill (inbreiding) and the transformation of existing properties, such as vacant offices, though large-scale expansion (uitbreiding) is permitted at designated locations like Valkenburg and Bronsgeest.
Which municipalities are part of the Holland Rijnland housing region?
The region includes 14 municipalities, including Leiden, Katwijk, Alphen aan den Rijn, and various towns in the Duin- en Bollenstreek and Rijn- en Veenstreek.
