nos.nl
Netherlands: Housing Construction at Lowest Point Since 2018
In the first half of 2025, nearly 32,000 new homes were built in the Netherlands, the lowest number in a six-month period since 2018, due to fewer building permits and a shortage of construction workers.
- How does the increase in social housing construction impact the overall housing shortage and different socioeconomic groups?
- While the number of new social homes built by housing corporations increased to 9,100 (29 percent of total new builds), it's a positive development, especially for low-income individuals and first-time buyers. However, this increase doesn't yet meet the government's target of 30,000 social rental homes annually from 2029.
- Considering the current trends and government targets, what are the prospects for meeting the Netherlands' housing needs in the coming years?
- Despite an increase in building permits in 2024, they decreased again in 2025. Reaching the government's ambition of 100,000 new homes annually from 2027 requires significantly more permits and addresses the persistent worker shortage. The goal may not be met even by including home splitting or transformations.
- What are the main factors contributing to the significant decrease in new housing construction in the Netherlands during the first half of 2025?
- The main factors are a decrease in building permits issued in 2023, impacting construction with a delay, and a substantial shortage of construction workers. Overburdened electricity grids further hinder permit issuance.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced overview of the decrease in new housing construction in the first half of 2025, citing official statistics and expert opinions. While it highlights the low number of new homes built, it also acknowledges the increase in social housing and discusses the contributing factors such as permits, workforce shortages, and government targets. The headline is neutral and accurately reflects the content.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. The article uses direct quotes from the CBS chief economist and presents statistical data without overt bias. Terms like "smalle beurs" (small budget) could be considered slightly loaded, but it's used in a context that accurately describes the target group for social housing.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including information on the types of new homes built (e.g., apartments vs. single-family homes) and their geographical distribution beyond the few municipalities mentioned. The article also doesn't discuss potential solutions to the permit delays or workforce shortages in detail. These omissions could affect a reader's overall understanding of the complexity of the issue.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the issue of housing shortage, a key aspect of sustainable urban development. Increased construction of social housing by housing corporations shows progress towards providing affordable housing, a crucial element of SDG 11. However, the shortfall in overall new housing construction highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving sustainable urban development goals.