Majella Wonen is a mixed-housing project on Thomas à Kempisweg in Utrecht, developed through cooperation between housing association Portaal and social-care organisation De Tussenvoorziening, with the municipality of Utrecht funding support for residents. 23 It opened in 2016 in two post-war apartment blocks that had been considered for demolition. 23
The project brings together former homeless people who receive support from De Tussenvoorziening and regular tenants who are willing to contribute to community life. About half of the roughly 70 apartments are for De Tussenvoorziening clients, with the remainder rented directly by Portaal. 2 The aim is to help participating clients move towards independent living; after three years, they may take over a rental contract in their own name. 49
Support is provided by De Tussenvoorziening, while Portaal supplies the homes. Residents jointly form a housing association and organise activities and aspects of community management. By 2019, the association had taken over most social management, while Portaal and De Tussenvoorziening remained involved in the background. 23
The project was initiated by Portaal adviser Erik Patist, according to Portaal’s mixed-housing training material. 11 The project received the i-Opener innovation prize in 2017, as reported by that material. 11 Information on the project’s launch and ongoing model identifies the organisations involved, but does not name a single individual as its developer. 23