De Bonte Hulst

De Bonte Hulst

We develop, build and manage the apartment complex on a non-profit basis. Due to its cooperative shape, the complex remains accessible to future generations and the residents retain their say over their own living environment. In this way the homes remain a structural part of the regulated housing offer in Amsterdam. Furthermore, by organizing ourselves cooperatively and sharing common spaces with local residents, we contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and fairer society. We want to set an example for future residential projects.

At the end of 2021, we came together with a group of friends with the idea of building a nice home in Amsterdam ourselves. Finding a nice, affordable home on the current housing market seemed completely impossible for us students and recent graduates. In 2022, we therefore started the procedure for housing cooperatives at the Municipality of Amsterdam. By now we have an option agreement on Lot 19F in Buiksloterham, Amsterdam-Noord.

Since we are realizing the residential complex ourselves, we have now taken on the task of a project developer. Since we do this as a housing cooperative, financiers see us as an odd one out and have difficulty serving us within the current system. Whilst the cooperative nature of our initiative is recognized, we do not fit into any of their existing boxes. We are not an individual household nor a commercial party. As we do not pursue profit.
In addition, we are shaping this initiative alongside our jobs and/or studies. Setting up a community while building 32 homes is completely new to us. All in all, it is quite a task. We also see this in the formation of the group. By now new people have joined us, but some of the founders also already quit.  

It is really nice to be spending time on our future home. We could not have had this much influence on how and where we will live without this process. Throughout the entire process we learn many new things in a very short period of time. Think of building concepts, building materials, sustainability, collaboration with different parties, circularity, applying for subsidies and building a community. That is also what makes it a lot of fun.

Why collective ownership
Since our building is collectively owned, we can guarantee that the homes will remain available as mid-priced rental homes for future generations. In this way we prevent these homes from ever being sold on the open market. Homes are for living! Up until now, building your own house has only been possible for people or groups of people (CPOs) with higher incomes. In this case, you buy or lease a plot and finance the construction of the home(s) based on your income. We give people who cannot afford or do not want to pay this also the opportunity to shape their own living environment. Everyone has the right to a nice home! By bringing together affordable housing and communal living, we want to contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and fair society.

Website De Bonte Hulst