The social housing corporation Thuispunt Gent will definitely achieve the targeted 1,500 extra social housing units in the city by 2030. This was emphasized by the corporation during a press
conference. Thuispunt states that the number of construction projects will be increased. "Construction cranes will appear all over the city in the coming years." The social housing corporation is responding to incorrect figures from Wonen in Vlaanderen (Housing in Flanders). "We are working tirelessly," they state.
Thuispunt Gent is dissatisfied with the inaccurate and low figures spread by Wonen in Vlaanderen regarding the number of new and renovated social housing units under their management. During a press conference, the social housing corporation strongly emphasizes that a lot is happening. "This year alone, there are nearly 100 projects," says Chairman Marc Heughebaert. "We are working hard to increase the number of social housing units in the city. We will achieve the ambition of having 1,500 additional new units by 2030. At least 200 units will be built each year. We are on track."
Challenging legacy The housing corporation admits that the promised acceleration in construction is only happening now. "We are dealing with 40 percent of outdated properties that we are now addressing. It is a legacy from the past. It means we have to renovate or even demolish before we can build new homes." Thuispunt refers to areas such as Sint-Bernadettewijk, the social residential towers at Watersportbaan, and in Nieuw Gent. They explain that in the past 4 years, only 223 new units were added, while almost 400 units were renovated or replaced.
Delay due to COVID-19 Thuispunt had hoped to build more additional homes sooner but now promises a significant increase starting this year. "We couldn't immediately start at full capacity with new construction anyway. The processes to establish something new always take a few years, but COVID-19 has further delayed it," states Heughebaert. He emphasizes that the ambitions in the Investment Multi-Year Plan (IMYP) of 1 billion euros will be achieved.
Gent aims to increase the number of social housing units to 10,500 by 2030 through the IMYP, approximately 1,500 more than in 2020. "It might even be more, as we are trying to achieve even more through pre-sales and expropriations," says Heughebaert. The announcement was made in the Meulestede district, where an old pharmacy has been transformed into 9 social housing units. The first residents can move in starting from July. "Here, we are providing new homes for impoverished people that fully meet the standards and climate requirements. We are the only player in Gent doing this."
Social housing that meets modern requirements is a lever against poverty. Marc Heughebaert, Chairman of Thuispunt Gent In the new construction project in Meulestede, social tenants will pay 430 euros per month for a housing unit. "That is nearly half of what is currently being asked in the regular rental market. By offering this housing at this price, we ensure that our tenants can live in quality conditions without falling into poverty."