Housing Fund Grant
Heerlen wants to grow, with housing that suits the city and the people who live there or want to move there. The Woonfonds Heerlen supports projects that contribute to this goal and offer social value but cannot be financially viable on their own. We do this through grants or guarantees. This way, good plans can still get off the ground.
Please note
Applications for the grant will open on Monday, November 23, at 9:00 a.m.
Approach
Please include the following with your application:
- a description of the project and the parties involved
- an explanation of how your project contributes to the Nieuw Heerlen Housing Foundation and the three pillars of housing
- a business case
- a justification for the amount requested, demonstrating that your project meets the Requirements .
Description
The Housing Fund is intended for projects that contribute to a better and more diverse housing stock in Heerlen: new construction, demolition, transformation, restructuring, sustainability improvements, and changes in the use of residential properties.
Housing authorities, real estate developers, private landlords, and the municipality can make use of the Housing Fund.
Do you have a plan that will help Heerlen move forward? If so, we’d love to brainstorm with you.
It pays to consult with us. We recommend that you discuss your plan with us before submitting your application. That way, you’ll know in advance whether your project qualifies for the program and what supporting documentation we’ll need. Schedule an appointment.
Unprofitable top
The unprofitable portion is the amount by which a project’s costs exceed the value of the completed real estate. This concept determines the maximum amount of your contribution.
We determine the costs based on market-based land, construction, and ancillary costs. The value is the market value in its rented condition, appraised by an independent NRVT appraiser, based on the lease agreements and the maintenance period applicable to the project. Book value, policy value, or other internal valuation principles are not taken into account.
We deduct any other subsidies, contributions, and compensation received for the same project. If there is no positive balance remaining, then there is no unprofitable portion.
Grant Amount per Applicant
The grant from the Housing Fund covers the eligible costs or the demonstrable shortfall, up to a maximum of €1,000,000 per application. You may submit up to two applications per calendar year.
The following limits also apply depending on the type of residence or activity:
| Activity | Maximum unprofitable top | Maximum Contribution to the Housing Fund |
| New Construction of Social Housing Units | €100,000 per home | €50,000 per home |
| New construction or conversion to a mid-range rental unit | €50,000 per home | €25,000 per home |
| New construction or conversion into affordable owner-occupied housing | €40,000 per home | €20,000 per home |
| Demolition of a public housing unit | N/A | €20,000 per demolished home |
Amounts are based on 2026 price levels. Demolition is eligible only if it is part of a larger transformation project and is linked to replacement new construction or redevelopment. This does not have to be at the same location.
For sustainability improvements, quality enhancements, and the transformation of social housing, a contribution of up to 50% of the eligible costs applies.
Grant or Guarantee
The Housing Fund offers two types of assistance.
- You will receive a monetary grant if it is determined that your project has a funding shortfall and, without this contribution, will not proceed, will not proceed on time, or will not proceed in full.
- A guarantee serves as a safety net. The municipality agrees to pay a certain amount, but only if a risk that we identify together in advance actually materializes. A guarantee is not intended to cover a shortfall that you can already foresee. The guarantee is valid for a maximum of five years. If you do not invoke the guarantee during that period, it will expire.
Requirements
You must meet the following Requirements :
- The project is being carried out in the municipality of Heerlen.
- The project demonstrably contributes to the Nieuw Heerlen Housing Foundation and to the three pillars of housing: Investing, Nurturing, and Regulating.
- The project adds value to Heerlen’s housing stock: in terms of quantity, quality, or the neighborhood’s composition.
- You demonstrate that, without a contribution from the Housing Fund, the project will not proceed or will not be able to begin within two years.
- There is a demonstrable shortfall: a shortfall that you cannot cover with your own funds or a loan and that can only be covered with public funds.
- You must finance at least 50% of the total project costs yourself, either with your own funds or through a loan.
- You will submit a comprehensive business case. It will demonstrate that the project is fully funded by the requested contribution and can begin within two years.
- The project will not result in displacement or an undesirable concentration of vulnerable residents in a neighborhood.
- Is the goal to improve sustainability or quality? In that case, only measures that go beyond legal requirements and your regular maintenance count.
- Is the project located in Heerlen-Noord? If so, you are not eligible for a grant simply for adding social housing units. The addition must be linked to the demolition, transformation, or diversification of the existing housing stock.
- Are you a private landlord? If so, you have the required landlord's license.
- The contribution complies with state aid rules.
View the 2026 Heerlen Municipal Housing Fund Regulation on overheid.nl for all Requirements.
Term
You will receive the decision within 12 weeks. If that is not possible, the municipality may extend this period once. The municipality will let you know when you can expect the decision.