Kerkrade works on quality and diverse housing supply with ambition: 600 to 800 new homes

Mortgage rates have never been lower. At the same time, home prices are high and homes are selling at a rapid pace. Also, the contraction is not going as fast as predicted. In addition, due to changes in government regulations, more people are living at home longer. The demand for sustainable, affordable and life-long housing is increasing.

Ensuring an attractive housing market

These developments have resulted in new housing policy for the municipality of Kerkrade over the past period. As a municipality, we are faced with the task of ensuring an attractive housing market in our town. A housing market that meets current housing needs. 

"A challenge we are working hard on together with a number of project partners," said Alderman Tim Weijers (Spatial Planning/Public Space/Housing). "We want house seekers in our municipality to be able to find housing that suits their needs. Therefore, we are focusing on quality, including a commitment to more spacious and varied neighborhoods with lots of greenery. We also offer space to plans that meet the housing needs of young and old, with attention to the housing requirements of our time: affordable, sustainable and lifelong learning. At the same time, we are looking at opportunities to convert vacant stores, cafes and offices into homes. In this way, Kerkrade will remain a place where everyone can live comfortably."

Realizing enough affordable housing

The Municipality of Kerkrade is working hard to provide enough affordable rental and owner-occupied housing for young people, families and the elderly. About 250 new homes will already be built in Kerkrade within two years, such as in Heilust and in Bleijerheide within the SUPERLOCAL project, where social housing is being built. There are also the Grachterheide and Kloosterpark projects where new owner-occupied homes are being built. In some cases, old houses are first demolished to renew the neighborhoods. Examples are the restructuring of Rolduckerveld and SUPERLOCAL in Bleijerheide. 

Plans in preparation

There are also plenty of plans currently in preparation, both in the neighborhoods and in the center. In Kerkrade West, there are advanced plans for Park homes in the Heilust. There are also plans for housing on the site of the former De Gracht elementary school. There are also plans for the redevelopment of part of the business park on Sportstraat and the "Kaalheide Bruist!" plan: a redevelopment of Kaalheide sports park combined with the development of care homes. In Kerkrade East, possibilities are being explored for housing on Marktstraat-Einderstraat, Markstraat-Hoofdstraat, Henk Badingstraat and the property where the Zeeman used to be. In addition, when the Vie construction project is completed, the site of the D'r Pool swimming pool will become available for housing development. At Rolduc, consideration is also being given to whether housing can be realized in the existing complex. In Kerkrade North, work is in progress to complete the plan for housing on Meuserstraat - Rector Thomasstraat and Veldhofstraat. 

If these plans can all go ahead, they add up to about 600 to 800 new homes. 

Durable and life-cycle resistant

According to the new housing policy, all new homes must be sustainable. This not only takes into account the environment, but also keeps energy costs down. Wherever possible, the homes will also be made life-proof. That way, people can continue to live at home for longer, even if they need Health . These homes are also attractive to young people and families. They can use a bedroom on the first floor as a home office or as a playroom for the children. 

Collaboration

Within all projects, the municipality works closely with housing associations, developers and investors. Funds and grant opportunities for new projects and ways to provide financial support for first-time buyers or people who want to make their homes more sustainable are also being explored with the State and Province.