Eindhoven still faces a huge housing challenge, but housing corporation director Roy Beijnsberger of Woonbedrijf and local real estate agent Pieter van Santvoort believe the city government is on the right track. “It needs to be made easier,” they say.
Van Santvoort hopes that housing alderman Mieke Verhees will return after the elections. She has faced criticism over issues like the demolition of homes in Vaartbroek and housing affordability. “She’s doing well, but something still has to change,” he said on the talk show Eindje van de Week.
Beijnsberger calls for more official capacity at the council. “There are too few project leaders,” he said. He sees promise in the new coalition agreement, which makes it easier to build on existing homes, split properties, and reduce successful appeals.
Both men say plans take too long to become reality. “The space for developers is there, but it is still being made too complicated. That takes time, and we don’t have that time,” Van Santvoort said. Verhees once called housing a “multi-headed monster”. Last year, she secured a coalition agreement for 85 percent of new construction to be affordable. “I think that’s brave of her, just before the elections,” the agent said.
Van Santvoort wants a mindset shift. “Things need to be made easier. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror, and residents also need to be aware that things are changing.” Beijnsberger criticises the “not-in-my-backyard” attitude. “It’s not like nasty things only happen in the neighbourhood when more homes are built. It can also provide more amenities, such as a doctor or pharmacist, or the bus suddenly drives more often,” he said.
Van Santvoort questions the city council’s priorities after a recent housing acceleration table meeting drew just five councillors. “And then I see that there are a lot of council members at a meeting about the ice rink, of which I read that the renovation will cost somewhere between five and eighty million euros. Then I think: what are your priorities?”
The episode of Eindje van de Week, about living and safety in the city, airs Tuesday evening on Studio040’s TV channel.
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