|
The Netherlands: End of the Dutch case? |
|
|
|
After 4 years of negotiations, the European Commission finally agreed with the Dutch government on what the scope of dutch Social housing as a Service of General Economic Interest should be. In a decision of december 16, 2009 the Commision has defined what activities by Dutch housing associations are allowed with what the Commision qualifies as state aid. The definition is quite restrictive.
Social housing is defined as 'Provision of housing at below market price to a target group of disadvantaged people or socially less advantaged groups as well as to certain categories of key workers. The target group as well as the exact modalities of application of the system are defined by the public authorities. Social housing providers can also provide other related services to the target group'.
The decision has to be implemented in dutch national law as of january 2010. Shortly a ministerial decree will be published to this effect. Apart from the very principal issue which is at stake as to the competence of Euopean institutions regarding the definition of SGEI's, dutch social housing organisations claim that the decision is going to make it more difficult to create mixed neighbourhoods and prevent segregation. Furthermore, it will immediately lead to a substantial increase in the administrative burden for social housing organisations.
> See Press release from the Commission
|
.jpg "2 sustainable-energy-europe (2)")
