Woonvisie gemeente Groningen – "A Home for Everyone" Housing Strategy
The Woonvisie gemeente Groningen is the official housing strategy document issued by the Municipality of Groningen in June 2020. Entitled Een thuis voor iedereen (A Home for Everyone), it establishes the strategic framework for the residential market following the municipal merger with Haren and Ten Boer on January 1, 2019. This statute sits within the broader context of the Omgevingsvisie The Next City and the municipal coalition agreement for 2019-2022. It provides a long-term vision (10 to 15 years) and a concrete Woonagenda (Housing Agenda) to address the housing shortage, population growth, and qualitative living standards.
The document's scope covers the entire municipal territory, governing housing production targets, affordability thresholds, and living environment quality. It defines specific regulatory instruments such as the Doelgroepenverordening (Target Group Ordinance), Woonakkoord (Housing Agreement), and the Woonplicht (Residency Requirement). Key structural elements include detailed growth forecasts, indicative housing categories, and spatial priorities for development zones like Stadshavens, Meerstad, and De Suikerzijde. It also addresses critical cross-sectoral challenges including the energy transition, earthquake resilience (aardbevingsproblematiek), and climate adaptation.
Professional users can find specific data regarding the net production of social housing units, parking standards, and architectural quality guidelines. The strategy outlines the roles of woningcorporaties (housing associations), market developers, and private individuals in realizing a diverse and inclusive housing stock.
Five Strategic Focus Points (Speerpunten)
The municipality focuses on five core pillars to steer the housing market towards inclusive and high-quality outcomes:
- Construction with Quality: Accelerating new builds in areas such as Stadshavens and Meerstad while maintaining the 'compact city' strategy and high standards for public space.
- Binding through Cooperation: Formalizing agreements via the Woonakkoord with housing associations and market parties to secure social and mid-market rental stock.
- Public Directives and Steering: Implementing the Doelgroepenverordening and active land policy to ensure housing remains accessible for vital professions like teachers and nurses.
- Regional Urbanization Strategy: Coordinating with the Regio Groningen – Assen on a regional housing distribution model and integrated mobility planning.
- New Focus on Target Groups: Addressing specific needs for the elderly (BouwOud manifestation) and vulnerable residents through innovative housing-care combinations.
Housing Production and Target Categories
The municipality anticipates a population of 240,000 to 250,000 by 2028, requiring the construction of 15,000 to 20,000 additional homes by 2030. Indicative categories for desired additions include:
- Social Rental: Net growth of 200 to 240 units per year, with 30% of new-build production in the city of Groningen dedicated to this segment.
- Mid-market Rental (Middenhuur): Defined as the segment between social housing and high-end private rental, targeting middle-income groups.
- Ground-bound Owner-occupied: Strong demand for single-family homes, particularly in suburban core areas and villages.
- Apartments: High demand from young one- and two-person households and elderly residents seeking urban amenities.
Regulatory Instruments and Market Intervention
To combat overheating and speculation, the municipality utilizes several legal and policy instruments:
- Woonplicht and Verhuurverbod: A residency requirement and rental ban for the first year of ownership to prevent immediate 'buy-to-let' speculation.
- Bestemmingsplan Woningsplitsing: Regulation of home splitting; homes must generally be larger than 140 m² to be split into units of at least 50 m².
- Verhuurdersvergunning: A landlord permit system for room rentals and small apartments to address market abuses.
- Gemeentelijk Ontwikkelbedrijf: The establishment of a municipal development company to facilitate non-traditional housing forms like cohousing and tiny houses.
Sustainability and Living Environment
The municipality aims to be fully CO2-neutral by 2035. This goal is operationalized through several schemes:
- Openingsbod: A heat scenario plan designating which neighborhoods will transition to district heating (warmtenet), all-electric, or hybrid systems.
- Proeftuin Aardgasvrije Wijken: Pilot projects in Paddepoel and Selwerd for natural gas-free living.
- Groenplan: Integration of nature-inclusive building practices in every development project.
- Leidraad Openbare Ruimte: A guideline establishing principles for high-quality, climate-adaptive public spaces with reduced car dominance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many new homes does Groningen plan to build by 2030?
The municipality targets the construction of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 additional homes by 2030 to accommodate a projected population of up to 250,000 residents.
What percentage of new housing is reserved for social rental?
In line with the coalition agreement, 30% of new-build production is designated for social rental housing to maintain an inclusive housing stock.
What is the 'Woonplicht' (residency requirement) in Groningen?
Groningen enforces a one-year residency requirement for new-build homes on municipal land to ensure buyers inhabit the property themselves and to discourage speculative 'buy-to-let' practices.
Are there specific rules for splitting existing houses into apartments?
Yes, under the Bestemmingsplan Woningsplitsing, only houses larger than 140 m² may be split, and the resulting apartments must have a minimum size of 50 m².
How is student housing growth managed?
Growth is managed via the Studenten- en Jongerenhuisvesting Groningen 2019-2022 covenant, with plans for 1,000 to 1,500 extra units, primarily targeted at international students at locations like Zernike Campus.
When does Groningen aim to be gas-free and CO2-neutral?
The municipality has set a target to be fully CO2-neutral by 2035, integrating energy transition goals into neighborhood renewal and new-build projects.
What is the purpose of the 'Doelgroepenverordening'?
It provides a legal basis to mandate specific housing categories, such as social rental or mid-market rental, within a zoning plan or environment plan, even on non-municipal land.
How does the document address earthquake risks?
It advocates for an integrated approach where housing reinforcement is combined with energy transition and neighborhood improvement, ensuring costs do not fall on residents.
