Actualisatie van de woonvisie 2015-2025 – Rijswijk Housing Strategy Update
The Actualisatie van de woonvisie 2015-2025 is the official update to the housing vision for the Municipality of Rijswijk, Netherlands. Formally adopted by the municipal council on May 11, 2021, this document modifies the original 2015-2025 framework to address the current housing crisis, characterized by stagnating circulation, rising prices, and a shortage of affordable units. It operates within the broader context of the Stadsvisie 2016 and establishes policy priorities through 2025, with projections extending to 2030.
The document focuses on two primary pillars: a target group-oriented construction program and the development of a future-proof city. Regulated domains include the social rental sector, middle-market housing, and sustainable urban renewal. Key geographical focus areas named in the document include the transformation zones of In de Bogaard, Kesslerpark, and the Havenkwartier, alongside the expansion site RijswijkBuiten. The framework provides specific price thresholds for the Doelgroepensegment (social/cheap), Middeldure segment (middle-market), and Dure segment (expensive), ensuring residential development aligns with the demographic needs of starters, seniors, and middle-income families.
This policy update outlines concrete municipal interventions, such as the prohibition of room conversions and restricted building divisions, to maintain neighborhood liveability. It serves as the primary guidance for developers, housing corporations, and municipal planners regarding the qualitative and quantitative growth of the Rijswijk housing stock.
Target Group-Oriented Building Program (Pillar 1)
The municipality prioritizes construction that facilitates doorstroming (circulation) within the housing market. The strategy targets specific income groups and household types that currently lack adequate options in the local market.
- Target Group Stock: Includes social housing from corporations and private rentals below €752, plus cheap owner-occupied homes under €190,000.
- Middle-Market Segment: Defined as rental units up to €1,000 and owner-occupied homes up to the Nationale Hypotheekgarantie (NHG) limit of €325,000.
- Senior Housing: Development of accessible apartments and clustered living forms to encourage elderly residents to vacate larger family homes.
- Student Housing: Exploration of student-specific housing in the Kesslerpark transformation area due to its proximity to educational institutions.
Urban Transformation and Expansion Areas
Growth is directed toward specific transformation areas and new development sites to vary the existing housing stock and improve urban quality.
- In de Bogaard: Transformation into an area with high-quality urban living and healthcare-integrated housing.
- Havenkwartier: Mixed-use residential and work area focusing on apartments for starters and small households.
- RijswijkBuiten: Continued development as a sustainable, diverse residential environment aimed at attracting and retaining young families.
- Kesslerpark: Campus-style development featuring mixed residential-work zones with specific space for students.
Future-Proof City and Neighborhood Management (Pillar 2)
The vision addresses the existing built environment with a focus on social cohesion, safety, and technical sustainability. Specific measures are introduced to prevent the degradation of post-war neighborhoods.
- Verkamering (Room Conversion): A municipality-wide ban on extracting independent housing units for room-by-room rental is implemented to preserve liveability.
- Woningsplitsing (Building Division): A restrictive policy applies to splitting existing houses into multiple units to protect the stock of larger family homes.
- Energy Transition: Alignment with the Transistievisie Warmte for the sustainable renovation and insulation of the existing housing stock.
- Social Cohesion: Integrated neighborhood approaches in areas like Muziekbuurt and Te Werve to combine physical renewal with social-community support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum rent for the middle-market segment in Rijswijk?
According to the 2021 price levels, the middle-market segment includes rental properties with a monthly rent up to approximately €1,000.
Is room conversion allowed in Rijswijk under the new housing vision?
No, the document introduces a municipality-wide ban on extracting housing for verkamering (room-by-room rental) to protect independent living space and neighborhood liveability.
What is the target for the social housing stock by 2030?
The municipality aims to reduce the share of the Doelgroepensegment (social/low-cost) in the total housing stock from 52% in 2019 to 43% by 2030 to achieve a more diverse mix.
What are the price limits for 'affordable' owner-occupied homes?
Affordable owner-occupied homes in the middle segment are defined as those priced up to the NHG limit, which was €325,000 at the time of the document's publication.
Which neighborhoods are prioritized for physical urban renewal?
The document identifies early post-war neighborhoods such as Te Werve, Ministerbuurt, and Muziekbuurt as priorities for physical and social upgrades.
Does the vision include specific housing for students?
Yes, the municipality is exploring student housing opportunities specifically within the Kesslerpark transformation area and via the conversion of old office buildings.
