Netherlands housing in the 1990s: A civilized matter?

Conclusion

The viewpoint of the cities is very different from that of the Secretary of State for Housing. This can be clearly seen in how these two parties develop a housing policy. And their differences translate into highly divergent consequences for the level of rent. Clearly, it will prove no easy matter to marry these opposing parties. The suggestions put forward by the Secretary of State have also been criticized by other voices, and alternative proposals have been made. Various Dutch political parties have presented their ideas on the question of housing, and bodies such as the Dutch Trades Unions, the Association of Dutch Local Councils, housing associations and tenants' associations have written recommendations and held public enquiries on the topic. Let us hope that despite the enormous differences in attitude, there will be a gradual drawing together. The housing branch covers a large areait needs to increase by at least one million dwellings, and to improve existing dwellings by the expenditure of at least 30 thousand million and at most 60 billion guilders. A joint effort from the bodies involved in housing is now urgently needed. The cities have made their ideas abundantly clear and the research carried out by the University of Delft, has shown that these plans are financially viable.