Overview of the Stimulus Plan
The “Stimuleringsplan Innovatieve Woonvormen 2023‑2027” is a policy document produced by the Municipality of The Hague (Gemeente Den Haag) and authored by Martijn Balster, a councilor responsible for housing, welfare, districts and the southwest quadrant. The plan outlines the city’s strategic approach to fostering innovative, cooperative, and group‑living housing models over a five‑year period, aiming to enrich sustainability, social cohesion and affordability in urban dwellings.
Vision and Ambitions
The core ambition is to create 100 innovative middle‑income rental or affordable purchase homes each year, focusing on cooperative housing (CPO), co‑operatives, and mixed‑generation group living. The plan links these housing forms to broader municipal goals such as reducing loneliness among seniors, supporting care‑dependent residents, and enhancing urban diversity. It positions innovative housing as a tool for a more livable, inclusive, and environmentally resilient city.
Financial Framework
A total budget of €5 million is earmarked for the programme, split between two streams. Stream 1 (guidance, advice and subsidies) allocates €1.25 million over four years, covering project management (€140 000 per year), additional subsidies for partners (€150 000‑€100 000), and incidental costs (€60 000). Stream 2 (project implementation) provides an indicative €3.6 million, including €3 million from a national revolving fund and €200 000 annually for start‑up costs. These funds support location acquisition, financial instruments, and capacity‑building for housing innovators.
Key Implementation Lines
The plan is organised into four “stimuleringslijnen”:
- Locations and Real Estate – identifying and earmarking affordable sites, advising on land use, and negotiating with developers and housing corporations.
- Communication and Information – creating a digital portal, a central contact point, and a physical information hub to disseminate knowledge about innovative housing options.
- Policy, Process and Agreements – embedding innovative housing targets in municipal policy, drafting model contracts, and clarifying procedural steps for developers and residents.
- Financial Initiatives – developing guarantees, co‑financing schemes, and subsidies to lower barriers for cooperative projects.
Timeline and Milestones
The plan’s first phase (2023‑2024) concentrates on establishing the digital portal, securing site agreements, and piloting financial instruments. Ongoing activities include continuous site inventory, partnership building with housing corporations, and monitoring of progress against the 100‑home annual target. Results from 2023‑2024 will shape the 2025 work plan.
Partnerships and Stakeholders
Implementation relies on collaboration with the Centre for Group Living (Centrum Groepswonen), local housing corporations, private investors, and community organisations. The municipality also seeks alignment with national housing funds and the Stimuleringsfonds Volkshuisvesting to leverage additional resources.
Relevance for Sustainable Housing in Europe
The plan exemplifies a city‑level strategy that integrates social sustainability (community cohesion, care for vulnerable groups) with environmental objectives (efficient land use, reduced construction waste through retrofitting existing buildings). Its emphasis on cooperative ownership models aligns with broader European trends toward shared‑economy housing, offering a replicable framework for other municipalities aiming to increase affordable, low‑carbon dwellings while fostering social resilience.