Many foreigners visiting the Netherlands who are interested in housing and taken on a tour through some of our cities and neighbourhoods ask: ‘Is all that social housing?’ They are taken aback both by the large amount of social-rental dwellings, 36% of the total housing stock, and also by its quality. In many countries social housing can almost exclusively be equated with housing for deprived households in a situation offering few prospects. The hallmark of the social–rental sector in the Netherlands is that a very differentiated target group is provided for, not only households with a low income, but also a broad intermediate group.
This book provides an introduction to Dutch housing associations. It therefore also provides readers with a large amount of more generally information on housing policy in the Netherlands. It will meet the needs of students, visitors, practitioners and politicians.
