Building your future
- The construction of 5.000 new homes until 2040: for liveable villages, with space for everyone
- The construction of affordable homes, and keeping this housing affordable for future generations: 50% of new-build homes have to be affordable for people with an average income
- School, sports and other community facilities have to be close to your home
- Sustainable and green construction of residental housing and business areas
- More space for businesses on a new-build green business park near the A12 highway
Municipalities have many different tasks. They keep a record of who lives within their boundaries, through the Personal Records Database (BRP); issue official documents, like passports or identity cards and driving licences; pay benefit to those who cannot provide for themselves; are responsible for the Social Support Act (WMO), the Participation Act and youth care; are responsible for school buildings and allocate additional funding to support pupils who require extra support; draw up land-use plans designating residential, industrial and green areas; supervise the construction of homes in consultation with housing associations; build and maintain streets, pavements and cycle paths; implement the Environmental Management Act, which requires that different types of household waste are collected separately, for instance; award grants to local services, like swimming pools or libraries; ensure industrial parks are easily accessible; issue permits for market traders.
Dutch and other EU citizens are allowed to vote in municipal elections, provided that they meet the requirements. Citizens from non-EU countries are also allowed to vote if they have lived legally in the Netherlands for at least 5 years before the election. Municipal elections take place every 4 years. Read more.
