Woonvisie Hengelo 2016–2026 – Strategic Housing and Residential Policy
The Woonvisie Hengelo 2016–2026 is the official strategic housing policy issued by the Gemeente Hengelo in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands. It functions as a guiding framework for municipal housing development, replacing previous residential plans to align with the Regionale Woonvisie Twente 2014. The document outlines the long-term direction for the local housing market, focusing on affordability, sustainability, and the physical transformation of the existing urban fabric through 2026.
The policy encompasses four primary regulatory themes: Betaalbaarheid en beschikbaarheid (affordability and availability), Wonen, zorg en welzijn (housing, care, and well-being), Leefbaarheid en kwaliteit (liveability and quality), and Kwalitatief programmeren (qualitative programming). It defines requirements for social housing stock, housing for specific target groups such as statushouders (status holders) and the elderly, and establishes the Kwalitatief afwegingskader (qualitative weighing framework) for evaluating new construction initiatives under the national Ladder voor Duurzame Verstedelijking.
This document serves as the basis for performance agreements between the municipality and housing corporations like Welbions and Ookbions. It transitions the local market from a focus on quantitative growth to qualitative replacement and infill development.
Affordability and Social Rental Targets
The municipality regulates the social housing stock to prevent a shortage in the affordable segments. Key thresholds and targets defined in the policy include:
- Total Social Stock: A target to maintain a minimum of 11,907 social rental units.
- Cheap Rental Segment: Specific preservation of 3,200 units with rents up to the first aftoppingsgrens (€409 at 2015 levels).
- Search Times: The document monitors social housing wait times, currently averaging between 1.5 and 2.5 years depending on the housing type.
- Income Limits: Secondary target groups include households with an income up to €39,874 who do not qualify for rent subsidy (huurtoeslag) but require social housing.
Housing, Care, and Long-Term Independence
Due to extramuralisering (the shift from institutional to home care), the policy prioritizes making the existing housing stock suitable for aging in place.
- Beschutte woonvormen: An estimated requirement for 130 elderly residents needing sheltered housing forms.
- Blijverslening: The introduction of a financial instrument (stayer loan) via SVn to help owner-occupiers fund accessibility renovations.
- Zorgwoningen: Priority is given to creating levensloopbestendig (life-cycle proof) housing in the immediate vicinity of existing service clusters.
Urban Transformation and Liveability
The policy shifts focus from new expansion sites (uitleglocaties) to inbreiding (infill) and the transformation of vacant commercial properties in the city center.
- TBH Plan: The Toekomstbestendige Binnenstad Hengelo initiative focuses on transforming retail space into residential units.
- Experimental Space: Designation of woonvlekken (housing spots) in zoning plans where the final architectural plan is not yet fixed, allowing for community-led initiatives.
- Private Commissioning: Facilitating Particulier Opdrachtgeverschap (PO) and Collectief Particulier Opdrachtgeverschap (CPO) to increase resident influence on spatial quality.
Sustainability and Energy Requirements
Compliance with the Bouwbesluit and provincial targets drives the energy transition for existing and new buildings.
- Energielabel B: A regional agreement that 45% of the existing social housing stock must reach an average of Label B by 2020.
- Nul-op-de-meter: The document outlines the transition toward carbon-neutral construction for new developments by 2020.
- Duurzaam (t)huis Twente: Use of regional advisors and wooncoaches to assist private owners with energy-efficiency upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total social housing stock target for Hengelo?
The municipality aims to maintain a total social housing stock of 11,907 units, with a specific focus on preserving 3,200 units in the cheapest segment.
How does the document define 'scheefwonen'?
Scheefwonen refers to households living in social housing with an income that exceeds the threshold for that housing segment, which can lead to rent increases based on national regulations.
What is the 'Ladder voor Duurzame Verstedelijking'?
It is a legal requirement from the Structuurvisie Infrastructuur en Ruimte (SVIR) that necessitates regional justification for any new urban residential developments.
Are there specific targets for energy labels in social housing?
Yes, housing corporations have agreed to ensure that 45% of their existing stock averages an Energielabel B by the year 2020.
What financial support is available for home modifications for the elderly?
The municipality utilizes the Blijverslening from the SVn to provide loans for residents to make their current homes life-cycle proof.
What is the policy for housing status holders?
Hengelo prioritizes the integrated and spread housing of statushouders throughout the city to facilitate social integration, potentially using temporary or prefabricated housing where necessary.
