Woonvisie Het Hogeland 2020-2030 – Strategic Housing Framework
The Woonvisie Het Hogeland is the formal policy document adopted by the Gemeente Het Hogeland on February 10, 2021. It defines the municipality’s strategic direction for housing, livability, and spatial development for the period 2020–2030. This vision serves as the statutory foundation for establishing performance agreements (prestatieafspraken) with housing corporations and replaces previous housing policies from the former municipalities of De Marne, Eemsmond, Bedum, and Winsum. The document integrates broader themes including care, sustainability, accessibility, and the regional earthquake dossier into its housing framework.
The scope of the vision covers 50 main villages and numerous smaller hamlets within the municipality. It categorizes these settlements into Regionale centra (Regional centers), Centrumdorpen (Center villages), and Woondorpen (Residential villages) based on their service levels and regional functions. Key regulatory domains include social housing distribution, sustainability targets in line with the Klimaatakkoord, and quality criteria for new construction initiatives. The document introduces the Gronings gereedschap (Groningen tools) methodology to adapt to digital transformation, climate change, and demographic shifts such as aging and local population decline.
This framework establishes a transition from restrictive regulations to a facilitative approach, emphasizing custom solutions (maatwerk) and local initiatives. It provides concrete assessment criteria for developers and residents to ensure that new projects contribute to the social and spatial quality of the specific village context.
Village Classifications and Regional Function
The document distinguishes between three types of settlements to determine the scale and nature of housing developments allowed in each area:
- Regionale centra: Includes Bedum, Uithuizen, and Winsum. These centers fulfill a regional service role and are designated for significant housing additions, including accommodating overflow demand from the city of Groningen.
- Centrumdorpen: Settlements like Baflo, Eenrum, Leens, Sauwerd, Uithuizermeeden, Warffum, and Zoutkamp which provide essential daily services like general practitioners and supermarkets.
- Woondorpen: All other villages and hamlets with limited or no local services, where development is primarily focused on maintaining existing quality and small-scale custom projects.
Strategic Priorities for 2020–2030
The municipality identifies five core focus areas for immediate implementation through 2030:
- Strategic Village Plans: Collaborative long-term planning with residents and housing corporations for every village, covering thinning (verdunnen), replacement, and repurposing.
- Regional Demand Absorption: Targeted expansion in Bedum and Winsum with a projected addition of 300 to 400 homes each by 2030.
- Aging in Place: Creating care-ready neighborhoods in larger villages and facilitating home adaptations for the 75+ age group.
- Second Youth for Existing Stock: Stimulating the renovation of older homes by young buyers to prevent qualitative housing surpluses.
- Earthquake Recovery: Prioritizing safety, strengthening (versteviging), and physical quality improvements in villages affected by gas extraction-induced earthquakes.
Assessment Framework for Housing Initiatives
Initiatives to add housing are evaluated against the Afwegingskader woningbouwinitiatieven. Projects are viewed more positively if they meet specific contextual and internal criteria:
- Contextual fit: Demand-driven construction based on market research, alignment with regional agreements, and the prevention of structural vacancy.
- Social contribution: Benefits for the local population, such as maintaining family ties or facilitating informal care (mantelzorg).
- Spatial quality: Strengthening existing structures, repurposing characteristic buildings, or addressing neighborhood decay.
- Diversity of supply: Adding types that are scarce, such as life-cycle resistant (levensloopbestendige) homes, rather than adding more terraced houses where surpluses exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which villages are designated as regional centers for growth?
Bedum, Uithuizen, and Winsum are the regional centers where the largest housing additions are planned to meet local and regional demand.
What is the 'Ja, mits' principle in the housing vision?
It is a proactive steering philosophy where the municipality facilitates initiatives that add value to a village, shifting from a 'No, unless' to a 'Yes, provided' mindset.
What are the housing targets for Bedum and Winsum by 2030?
Both Bedum and Winsum aim for an addition of approximately 300 to 400 homes until 2030, which translates to roughly 30 to 40 homes per year.
What percentage of new housing in regional centers must be social rent?
In regional centers near Groningen, the municipality aims for a social housing share of 30% to 45% within new projects.
How does the municipality handle earthquake damage in its housing strategy?
The strategy prioritizes high-speed recovery and strengthening, aiming to use these investments to simultaneously improve the overall housing quality and environment of affected villages.
What is the policy for sustainability in existing homes?
The municipality facilitates energy efficiency through the Energieloket and targeted loans, while housing corporations aim for an average energy label B for their stock.
