1. International Court of Justice: The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice, which is the principal judicial body of the United Nations. Many may not realize that this court plays a crucial role in settling disputes between countries and providing advisory opinions on international legal issues. 2. The Peace Palace: Often overlooked by visitors, the Peace Palace in The Hague is an architectural gem that houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It was built in the early 20th century and is a symbol of peace and justice. 3. The Hague University of Applied Sciences: The city has a diverse student population, partly due to The Hague University of Applied Sciences, which offers a wide range of international programs. This institution is known for its multicultural environment and strong focus on practical learning, attracting students from all over the world.
The current situation of the housing market in The Hague, Netherlands, is characterized by a gradual recovery in demand and weakening residential construction activity. Here is a summary: - **Housing Market Trends**: House prices in The Hague rose by 2.5% in 2024, indicating a recovery in the market[1]. - **Total Housing Units**: The Netherlands has over 8 million dwellings, but specific figures for The Hague are not provided in the sources. However, it is part of the province of Zuid-Holland, which has a large number of terraced houses[2]. - **Ownership vs. Rental**: Nationally, there are 4.6 million owner-occupied properties and 3.5 million rental homes. However, specific figures for The Hague are not available[3]. - **Median Price per Sqm**: The sources do not provide the median price per sqm to rent or buy an apartment specifically for The Hague. - **Public, Social, and Cooperative Housing**: Social rental housing involves about 21-22% of the national housing stock, mostly owned by non-profit housing fund-associations. Cooperative housing has a small share, around 7-8% nationally, but specific figures for The Hague are not provided[4]. - **Investor Activity**: Private investors are selling more homes to owner-occupiers, particularly in larger cities, which includes The Hague[3]. Given the limitations of the sources, specific figures for The Hague are not fully available, but the national trends and figures provide some insight into the broader housing market context.
The current city administration of The Hague is actively addressing the housing shortage and affordability issues. Key targets include increasing the supply of affordable housing and ensuring that housing costs remain manageable for residents. 1. **Dutch Essential Housing Venture**: A partnership between ABP (the pension fund for government and education workers) and Greystar (a global real estate developer) aims to invest in affordable housing projects. The venture has committed to developing approximately 1,500 homes in the Randstad and other major cities, with at least two-thirds of these homes to be rented in the regulated and mid-rent segments (up to EUR 1,200 per month)[1][2]. 2. **Waldorp Four Project**: This project in the Central Innovation District of The Hague includes 1,171 new rental homes, with 560 mid-rent homes specifically designed for middle-income households. The project also includes 399 student homes and 212 social housing units, all meeting strict sustainability requirements[1][2]. 3. **Government Housing Policies**: The Dutch government has set ambitious targets to build 900,000 homes by 2030, with a focus on affordable housing. This includes strengthening the role of housing associations, abolishing the landlord levy for rent-controlled properties, and streamlining building regulations to reduce lead times[4]. 4. **Local Initiatives**: The Hague's housing chief has called for measures to control expat numbers and ensure that companies provide housing for international workers before they move to the city, aiming to keep housing affordable for local residents[5].