Flanders presents first plan to deliver 450,000 additional homes by 2050
Flanders needs to build 450,000 additional homes by 2050 to accommodate an ageing population and the growing number of smaller households. A government task force has now presented its first recommendations, aimed at helping municipalities better coordinate housing, spatial planning and mobility policies. Housing minister Hans Bonte and Environment minister Jo Brouns announced the plans on Friday.
Last year, the Flemish government established a Housing and Spatial Planning Task Force, bringing together stakeholders including the Flemish Government Architect, the social housing sector and the construction industry. The group has now submitted seven recommendations to help deliver the additional housing while safeguarding spatial planning, water management and nature conservation.
Among the proposals is the development of improved data tools to give both municipalities and the Flemish government a clearer picture of housing needs, affordability and the impact of the construction shift. The task force also calls for new measures to boost affordable housing, including more budget rental properties and a more active land and property policy.
The recommendations propose redevelopment agreements for well-located sites, vacant buildings and station areas, as well as greater support for municipalities to plan housing, mobility, water management and green spaces in an integrated way.
The Flemish government will now translate the recommendations into concrete policy measures and regulations.
“We must build a massive number of affordable homes if we want to keep housing affordable,” said Bonte. “It is important that we do this in strategic, well-located areas, without building on every piece of green space in Flanders. Thanks to the task force, we are now presenting a strong plan to enable sustainable housing.”
#FlandersNewsService | Social housing in Leuven © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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