The Hague

1. International City of Peace and Justice: The Hague is home to numerous international organizations, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, making it a significant hub for international law and diplomacy. 2. Historic Beaches: While many people associate The Hague with its political significance, it also boasts beautiful beaches like Scheveningen, which is known for its vibrant boardwalk, pier, and beach clubs, offering a unique blend of city life and seaside relaxation. 3. The Hague's Hidden Courtyards: The city has many hidden courtyards and passageways, known as "hofjes," which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These charming spots often feature beautiful gardens and provide a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban environment.

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].

In the city of The Hague, housing cooperatives are being promoted as a solution to address housing scarcity and affordability issues. The city aims to create more diverse and inclusive housing concepts that foster social cohesion and collective ownership. Key activities and programs include: - **Promotion of Collaborative Housing**: The Hague has set goals to produce affordable housing units, including collaborative housing (CH) projects. The city aims to create 100 social homes in CH each year, with a focus on vulnerable target groups such as immigrants, refugees, and former homeless individuals[3]. - **Financial Support**: The municipality provides financial guarantees, tax cuts, and funding from European Union programs like NextGenerationEU to support cooperative housing projects. This includes a budget of €5 million over four years to accelerate affordable housing concepts[3]. - **Regulatory Framework**: The Housing Regulation 2019 in The Hague sets conditions for renting living spaces, including restrictions on splitting homes and requirements for housing permits to ensure affordability and control over rental prices[2]. - **Lighthouse Projects**: Although specific lighthouse projects in The Hague are not detailed, the city is starting a CH program with objectives to increase social cohesion, collective ownership, and innovative housing concepts. The city also draws inspiration from successful projects in other cities, such as CALICO in Brussels[3].