Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Thuispunt in Ghent can buy properties anywhere in the city to create more social housing, helping to provide affordable homes for families in need.
The social housing company Thuispunt in Ghent will have more power to buy properties. Right now, they can only buy homes in a certain area, but soon they will be able to buy anywhere in the city. This means that whenever a house or land is for sale, Thuispunt will have the first chance to buy it, even if someone else wants to buy it too.
How Thuispunt Ghent’s expanded property Rights aim to boost affordable housing citywide?
The main goal of the new policy is to make it easier to build social housing across Ghent due to the increasing need for affordable homes. Thuispunt will use its expanded right to buy properties that can be developed into social housing, helping to provide more options for low-income families and vulnerable groups. This approach aims to address housing shortages and ensure that social housing is available in all neighborhoods, not just specific areas. By acquiring properties throughout the city, Thuispunt hopes to create a more balanced and diverse community.
It has been said that with this new right to buy properties, Thuispunt will be able to get homes faster, which means they can build more social housing sooner. This shows that Ghent is focused on making sure affordable housing is available everywhere in the city to help meet the needs of its residents. “To hit our goal of 20 percent social housing by 2050,” says Tine Heyse, the Housing Alderman. “Right now, we’re at 12 percent, so we need 7,800 more homes.” She reassures regular home buyers that they don’t need to worry. “Thuispunt mainly wants land for building and bigger homes, not smaller ones.” Starting in January, this buying right will apply to all residential areas in Ghent, helping to add more social housing in different neighborhoods. Historic buildings or land are not included, and this right doesn’t affect Ghent residents buying their first home.
