Rotterdam receives €26.7 million from the government for the construction of new homes that are at risk of stalling, due to increased interest rates and construction costs. With this financial support from the ‘Startbouwimpuls, Rotterdam can build 2,647 homes within the next two years, with 64% of them falling into the affordable housing segment. 

Councilor Zeegers (Climate, Construction, and Housing): “This is incredibly good news for the initiators and, of course, for those looking for housing. With government support, the construction of over 2600 homes can start quickly, with the majority in the social and mid-range. And I am very pleased with that because these homes are much needed in Rotterdam.”

Faster start of housing construction in a large number of Rotterdam neighborhoods Projects from both housing associations and developers are eligible for the Start Construction Impulse. These include Alexanderpark Rotterdam (Prins Alexander), De Graaf (city center), De Sax (Kop van Zuid), Hartenruststraat (Oude Noorden), Hof van Maasdam Park (16Hoven), Klapwiek (Prins Alexander), Phase 1 Max Euwekwartier (Brainpark), Odeon (city center), Oost-Sidelinge (Overschie), Soetendaalseweg and Ruivendwarsstraat (Oude Noorden), Tamboer 2 Oost (Crooswijk), Timber (Dordtsestraatweg Rotterdam-Zuid), and Vlietpark phase 2 (Hoogvliet). On average, a financial contribution of €10,000 per home is provided.

Support for other housing projects Not all projects affected by deteriorating market conditions qualify for the government’s Start Construction Impulse. “We will engage in discussions with the initiators of these projects to see where we can help them so that they can also start building,” says Councilor Zeegers. The municipality utilizes the Rotterdam Start Construction Scheme, the Bottleneck Fund of the Province of South Holland, and the 6th tranche of the national Housing Construction Impulse. With these housing impulses, municipalities can accelerate the construction of new affordable homes. If a project can build a larger number of affordable homes than planned, additional funds are available from the municipal Continuation Fund.

Continuing construction Earlier this year, Rotterdam, along with market parties and housing associations, signed a Continuation Agreement, announcing the Rotterdam Start Construction Scheme. In addition to contributions from the government and the province, Rotterdam has reserved €10 million through its own Continuation Scheme to revive stalled affordable middle-income housing projects. By combining national, provincial, and municipal continuation schemes, Rotterdam can continue building affordable homes at a faster pace.

Starting within two years In the coming period, Rotterdam will assess which of the above-mentioned construction projects, as well as those not receiving government funds, qualify for a municipal contribution of up to €5,000 per home. These are projects in the middle segment that, without this contribution and due to the current economic headwinds in the construction sector, cannot start. The Rotterdam Start Construction Scheme includes a maximum of €10 million and is open until June 2025.