In his letter, Minister Karremans emphasises that existing agreements regarding access to housing will be honoured.
The four towns have previously been designated as large-scale housing development sites. Together, they offer space for over 30,000 homes. In doing so, they are helping to alleviate the housing shortage. This requires not only homes, but also good transport links, appropriate transport facilities and an accessible, liveable city. The funding brings the realisation of the necessary infrastructure a step closer. This will enable the local authorities, together with central government, the provinces and regional partners, to continue working on the development and implementation of their plans.
Housing and accessibility go hand in hand
The four regions have jointly drawn the central government’s attention to the infrastructure required to implement their housing development plans. The central government’s contribution makes it possible to further develop housing and accessibility in a coordinated manner.
Peter Messerschmidt, Councillor for Development: “This is very good news for Apeldoorn and for those looking for a home. With this contribution, the Government is taking an important step towards the development of the city centre, the Spoorzone, the Kanaalzone and the Zuidrand. This is where a large part of Apeldoorn’s housing development programme for the coming years lies.“
Marco Wenzkowski, Councillor for Mobility: “We don’t just want to build more homes; we also want to ensure that people can live comfortably and get around easily. That is why housing development and infrastructure must go hand in hand from the very start. Investments in infrastructure improve the accessibility of these areas and make it possible to combine housing development with high-quality public spaces, sustainable mobility and economic development. This creates a solid foundation for a city that is growing, whilst maintaining quality of life and accessibility.”
Investing in the region’s future
The investment is also important for the surrounding regions. More homes and better transport links improve access to work, education and amenities, and support economic development. The challenge of housing construction does not stop at the municipal boundary. New homes require connections between neighbourhoods, towns and regions.
Let’s carry on working together
In the coming period, the local authorities, together with central government, the provinces and regional partners, will press ahead with agreements on the planning of infrastructure measures and the phasing of housing construction. The precise details will vary from area to area.
