Woonvisie Midden-Groningen 2024-2030 – Strategic Housing Policy Overview
The Woonvisie Midden-Groningen 2024-2030, titled Met focus vooruit, is the primary housing policy document issued by the Municipality of Midden-Groningen. Adopted on July 9, 2024, this statute replaces the previous 2019-2028 vision to address the transition from regional shrinkage to active growth. It operates within a multi-level legal framework, including the national Wet Versterking Regie Volkshuisvesting (WVRV), the Omgevingswet, and the regional Woondeal regio Groningen-Assen, while aligning with recovery programs such as Nij Begun and the Nationaal Programma Groningen.
The policy defines a net housing addition target of 1,235 homes by 2030. Its regulatory scope encompasses urban redevelopment in Hoogezand-Sappemeer and development strategies for rural villages. The document structures its approach around five core goals: accelerating delivery through dedicated project teams, implementing specific village agendas, revitalizing urban neighborhoods, ensuring affordability in rent and purchase segments, and providing specialized housing for target groups such as starters, seniors, and care-dependent residents.
Professional stakeholders, including architects and developers, are guided by this framework regarding site-specific criteria, such as the redevelopment of 22 former school locations and the application of bouwenveloppen (development envelopes). The document also outlines the municipality's role in land policy and the use of financial instruments to support housing quality and social inclusivity.
Acceleration and Planning Capacity
To achieve the net target of 1,235 new homes, the municipality maintains a planning buffer of 130%, targeting a gross total of approximately 1,600 planned units. This approach accounts for project delays and external factors like nitrogen regulations and grid congestion.
- Focus Projects: Prioritization of Noorderpark, Muntendam center, and bundled school locations.
- Initiative Team: A dedicated municipal team evaluates small and large-scale private development proposals using standardized quality criteria.
- Bouwenveloppen: Site-specific development envelopes that define spatial and quality requirements for new projects.
- Area Fund (Gebiedsfonds): A proposed financial mechanism to bridge investment gaps in socially significant but commercially challenging projects.
Village and Rural Area Strategy
The strategy distinguishes between Centrumdorpen (center villages) and Woondorpen (residential villages). For the rural area, housing development is primarily focused on infill locations and the transformation of characteristic buildings.
- School Locations: 22 sites across villages like Slochteren, Schildwolde, and Siddeburen are designated for new residential development.
- Village Agendas: Specific priorities for local centers, such as the De Menterne community house in Muntendam and housing for seniors in Kolham.
- Rural Customization: Implementation of the Ruimte voor Ruimte scheme and regulations for splitting historic farmhouses into multiple units.
Urban Development in Hoogezand-Sappemeer
In the urban core, the focus lies on large-scale restructuring and densification. Key areas include the Historisch lint (historic ribbon) and neighborhoods designated for safety and quality improvements under the Nationaal Programma Groningen.
- Noorderpark: An integrated approach involving 350 new homes, including 250 net additions and 100 replacements.
- Gorecht-Noord: Transition to gas-free heating via a district heating network (warmtering) using industrial residual heat.
- Spoorstraat-Kieldiep: Designated as a priority area for social investment and physical improvement of the housing stock.
- Stadshart: Completion of the town center transformation, converting vacant retail and commercial spaces into residential units.
Affordability and Regulatory Instruments
The municipality enforces strict quotas for affordable housing in new developments to ensure market balance. These targets apply to both housing association projects and private developments.
- Social Rent: A target of 360 additional social rental units by 2030, representing 30% of total growth.
- Affordable Purchase: A 30% requirement for homes priced up to €390,000 (2024 price level).
- Opkoopbescherming: Buy-to-let protection for homes with a WOZ-value up to €250,000 in designated CBS neighborhoods like Foxham and Margrietpark.
- Starterslening: Continuation of the starter loan program, capped at 20% of the purchase price or a maximum of €36,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total housing target for Midden-Groningen until 2030?
The municipality aims for a net addition of 1,235 homes by 2030, which requires a gross planning capacity of approximately 1,600 units to account for various development risks.
What is the price limit for 'affordable purchase' homes in this policy?
Affordable purchase homes are defined as those priced up to €390,000, based on 2024 price levels, and the municipality requires 30% of new builds to fall within this segment.
How is the municipality protecting cheap owner-occupied homes from investors?
Through the 'Opkoopbescherming' (buy-to-let protection), which prevents the rental of purchased homes with a WOZ-value up to €250,000 in specific neighborhoods for a period of four years.
What are 'alleskunners' in the context of social housing?
These are flexible, accessible housing units designed to be suitable for various target groups, including seniors with care needs, small families, and couples.
Which neighborhoods in Hoogezand are priorities for gas-free transitions?
Gorecht-Noord is the primary focus for the transition to gas-free heating, with plans to connect homes to a district heating network by 2025.
Are there specific plans for former school locations?
Yes, 22 former school sites across the municipality have been identified as spearhead locations for the development of more than 200 new homes over the next 10 years.
How does the municipality handle housing for migrant workers?
The municipality is developing a specific plan to ensure qualitatively acceptable housing for migrant workers, including the use of temporary permits and enforcement against unauthorized situations.
What role does the 'Ruimte voor Ruimte' regulation play?
This regulation allows for the removal of landscape-disturbing agricultural buildings in the rural area in exchange for a residential building permit, provided it meets local quality criteria.
