ROTTERDAM, 3 February 2026 – Rotterdam says its approach to energy poverty is helping households lower energy use and housing costs. An independent evaluation by Berenschot and results through December 2025 point to practical measures that residents feel at home and in their monthly bills.
The city says it has used national funding to build a broad package of support since 2022, reaching around 41,000 households with the approach to energy poverty (energiearmoede).
Practical help that reaches households
Rotterdam’s approach combines several tools: energy handymen (energieklussers), energy coaching, home insulation, white goods schemes (witgoedregelingen), and cooperation with housing corporations. The city’s focus is on lowering energy bills, with special weight placed on structural home improvements that also improve living quality.
The evaluation concludes the funding was used efficiently, with reach boosted through cooperation with local partners and existing neighbourhood networks.
Energy handymen deliver quick fixes and upgrades
A key part of the programme is the energy handymen (energieklussers). Since 2022, Rotterdam says nearly 36,000 households have been helped with measures ranging from small energy-saving fixes like draught strips, radiator foil and LED bulbs, to medium-sized changes such as hanging insulating curtains and replacing old mechanical ventilation units.
Alderman Chantal Zeegers (climate) points to the everyday impact: “Precisely with the energy handymen, you see that relatively simple interventions can make a big difference. Residents notice that immediately in their comfort and on their energy bill.” Rotterdam says these interventions save households just over €200 per year on average, which can be the difference between coping and falling further behind.
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€34 million funding and 7,000 social homes upgraded
Rotterdam says it received just over €34 million in national funding for the energy poverty approach. Cooperation with housing corporations, welfare organisations and neighbourhood initiatives helped the city reach more households with the available budget.
Through a covenant with housing corporations, the city says more than 7,000 social rental homes have been upgraded with measures including insulation, solar panels and insulating glass, alongside agreements intended to prevent rent increases. Rotterdam describes these structural upgrades as particularly effective in lowering energy costs.
What happens after projects end in 2026
Most projects are expected to end in 2026 when the available funding has been fully spent. Rotterdam says it is now exploring, partly based on the evaluation, how successful elements can continue with new financing, with extra attention for the most vulnerable households.
Alderman Abigail Norville (poverty reduction) says the approach has delivered real relief, but she also calls for stronger national policy: “With this approach, we have been able to concretely contribute to easing the energy bill for Rotterdammers on a tight budget. But it remains a drop on a hot plate. As long as structural national policy is lacking, municipalities cannot solve this problem alone.”
Factsheet and further reading
A factsheet with results up to December 2025 is available here:
