ROTTERDAM, 3 February 2025 – The housing development plan for Blokken Q and U in Tweebosbuurt has been revised, significantly increasing the number of affordable rental homes. Originally, the plan included 101 high-end rental properties, but after discussions between housing corporation Hef Wonen and the municipality of Rotterdam, the project has been adjusted to better meet the demand for affordable housing.

Increase in affordable rental homes

The revised plan will add 66 extra homes and shift the focus towards affordability. Of the 167 planned homes, 163 will fall into the social or mid-priced rental category. This change provides more housing options for middle-income residents and seniors, easing pressure on the housing market. The updated plan now includes:

• 40 social rental homes, primarily for seniors
• 123 mid-priced rental homes
• 4 private-sector rental homes

This adjustment introduces a wider variety of housing types and sizes in the neighbourhood.

Shift from high-end to affordable housing

The change reflects the shared ambition of Hef Wonen and the municipality to expand affordable housing options. The original design featured ground-level homes with gardens, which were set to rent for approximately €1,500 per month. However, these were deemed less desirable due to their high price and low housing density. By opting for smaller units, the project can now accommodate more affordable homes.

Alderman Zeegers, responsible for climate, construction, and housing, stated:
“Our housing vision aligns with current needs, focusing more on affordability. We are very pleased that, with the help of the Doorbouwfonds, we can add more social and mid-priced rental homes here.”

Support from the Doorbouwfonds

A financial contribution of €1.5 million from the Doorbouwfonds has been allocated to help realise the revised project. The fund supports municipalities, developers, and other stakeholders in continuing housing projects despite temporary financial difficulties. Its aim is to accelerate the completion of housing developments, particularly in areas with high demand for affordable homes.

Marieke Kolsteeg, chair of Hef Wonen, commented:
“We are pleased that we could increase the number of homes in this project and include a portion in the social housing segment. The addition of social rental homes for seniors is particularly valuable, as there is limited accessible housing for older residents. This fits well within the Langer-Thuis-Opgave initiative.”

Construction timeline

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2025.

Location and directions

Tweebosbuurt is located in Rotterdam's Feijenoord district, near the Afrikaanderplein. The area is well-connected by public transport, with tram and metro stations nearby. The neighbourhood has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, aiming to create a balanced mix of social, mid-priced, and private housing.

ROTTERDAM, 23 January 2025 – The City of Rotterdam has announced plans to develop 1,000 compact housing units, called StartR homes, to address the city’s housing shortage. Designed to meet the needs of young people and others in urgent need of housing, these homes will serve as temporary, affordable options while permanent housing solutions remain in high demand.

Addressing housing challenges

The StartR homes are part of an effort to provide affordable, compact, and sustainable housing options. These units will target young adults under 27, people transitioning to independent living, and new residents, including those with refugee status. According to Alderman Zeegers, the initiative is crucial for those who are unable to find housing due to long wait times and limited availability, particularly younger residents starting their professional lives.

Two-thirds of the homes will be prioritised for young people already living near the chosen sites, helping them stay within their social networks. The remaining units will be allocated to status holders (statushouders) who are beginning new lives in the city. The municipality received €8.7 million from the national government to accelerate this project, with a requirement that no more than one-third of the homes are allocated to new arrivals.

Sustainable and flexible housing

StartR homes are prefabricated from sustainable, reusable materials and are designed for one to two residents. Each unit is equipped with a private kitchen, toilet, and shower. Communal indoor and outdoor spaces will encourage social interaction, and facilities such as bicycle storage, parking spaces, and shared transport will also be available.

The housing will be installed on temporary locations with residential zoning for periods ranging from 10 to 30 years. After this period, the units can be relocated to other sites. Additional efforts include repurposing unused buildings, such as offices and schools, into residential spaces.

Locations and future plans

Eight sites across Rotterdam have been identified for the first wave of construction:

• Hefpark, Feijenoord
• Laan van Magisch Realisme, Nesselande
• Toepad, De Esch
• Verolme, IJsselmonde
• Wilgenring and Meijersplein, Schiebroek
• Krimsloot, Hoek van Holland
• De Ark, Rozenburg

Based on the experiences with these sites, further studies will explore the development of an additional 900 units. The overall goal is to create 2,000 social housing units, providing temporary relief to the city’s growing housing needs.

How to apply

Once the StartR homes are completed, eligible residents can apply through the housing corporation managing the specific location. Tenancy terms will be temporary, with residents encouraged to transition into permanent housing as they become available. Importantly, tenants’ registrations with Woonnet will remain active during their stay. Depending on income, some may also qualify for housing allowances.

ROTTERDAM, 23 January 2025 – The City of Rotterdam has signed an agreement with four major housing corporations to deliver affordable and sustainable social housing. The agreement, which aligns with the Paris Climate Accord, focuses on making environmentally friendly homes accessible to residents with lower incomes.

New standards for social housing

Under the agreement, four subsidised projects will deliver 122 new social housing units in Rotterdam. At least 30% of the construction materials will be biobased, including timber, and the homes will adhere to stringent sustainability standards. This ensures energy efficiency, the use of renewable materials, and healthy indoor environments for residents.

Alderman Zeegers, responsible for Climate, Housing, and Construction, emphasised the significance of this step: “In Rotterdam, we believe everyone has the right to a sustainable and pleasant home, regardless of income. This agreement shows that affordability and sustainability can go hand in hand.”

The role of biobased construction

Biobased construction, using materials such as wood, significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods. However, it remains a relatively new approach, often accompanied by higher costs. To offset some of these additional expenses, the municipality has introduced a €950,000 subsidy programme, encouraging housing corporations to adopt biobased building practices.

Making sustainability accessible

Social housing represents a vital part of Rotterdam’s housing supply. Integrating sustainability into this sector can be challenging due to cost implications. The agreement seeks not only to support the city’s environmental goals but also to explore ways to achieve climate-neutral construction without compromising affordability.

Valckensteyn project: A model for the future

The Valckensteyn project, led by Woonstad, exemplifies the potential of sustainable and accessible housing. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the development features 82 apartments ranging from 66 to 76 square metres, designed for middle-income households. With a significant portion of the structure built from wood, the project achieves considerably lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional concrete construction.

Collaborative efforts for a sustainable future

The construction sector faces significant challenges in reducing its carbon footprint. Traditional methods generate nearly three times the CO2 emissions required to meet the Paris Climate Accord targets. This agreement represents a crucial step in Rotterdam’s plan to transition to sustainable construction methods and achieve Paris Proof standards.

ROTTERDAM, 20 January 2025 – An innovative approach to emission-free construction is underway in Hoek van Holland. Electricity from the Rotterdam metro network is powering equipment at the site, marking a significant step in sustainable building practices.

Ret electricity fuels sustainable construction

Mobile machinery on the former military campsite, now being transformed into a nature reserve, is operating using electricity supplied by RET's overhead metro lines. The RET, which received a permit last year to supply electricity to external parties, is utilising surplus capacity to charge an electric excavator at the site. This project is the first in the Netherlands to use RET's electricity in this way, enabling emissions-free construction without the use of traditional fossil fuels.

Linda Boot, director of RET, commented, “The RET is the first public transport company in the Netherlands, and likely in Europe, to receive a permit to supply electricity to others. Our metro and tram vehicles do not always utilise all available capacity, which allows us to use the network more efficiently. The connection in Hoek van Holland is a prime example. Our overhead network is essentially Rotterdam’s longest extension cord, providing many opportunities to alleviate grid congestion.”

A step towards emissions-free working

The municipality of Rotterdam commissioned the redevelopment of the 3-hectare site, which had previously served as a camping area for military families. Since 2021, the land has been managed by Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap. The redevelopment aims to increase green space and biodiversity while aligning with the city’s goals for clean air and reduced CO2 emissions.

Alderman Zeegers (Climate, Building, and Housing) stated, “We worked on an innovative solution to minimise emissions during the redevelopment of the Vafamilterrein (former military site). Rotterdam supports such initiatives, particularly as they gain importance in light of network congestion. Our aim is a healthy city with clean air, where growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental improvement.”

Protecting ecosystems with green building

This project represents the first experience with electric equipment for Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap. Director Jos Bisschops noted, “In areas bordering Natura 2000 sites, emissions-free working is critical to protect fragile ecosystems and reduce nitrogen emissions. This pilot project is an important step towards making emissions-free construction the standard.”

Future opportunities for sustainable energy use

The RET and the municipality of Rotterdam are planning further collaborations. As network congestion limits new electricity connections, the RET’s network offers an alternative for projects that would otherwise face delays. The RET’s permit also supports the development of charging infrastructure for vehicles and equipment, contributing to the city’s ambitions for emissions-free mobility and construction.