Applying for an affordable housing permit

Do you want to rent affordable, social housing? In some municipalities you need anaffordable housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) for this. Check with your municipality whether this applies in your municipality. If necessary, apply to your municipality for the affordable housing permit.

The type of housing available in the Netherlands includes affordable social housing, as well as more expensive housing in the private sector. However, Dutch municipalities make it a priority that low-cost social housing is available to tenants on a low income. That is why many municipalities require potential social housing tenants to have an affordable housing permit. They do this, for example, if there is a shortage of affordable housing.

Affordable housing permit often not required when renting from a social housing housing association

Are you going to rent social housing from a housing corporation (woningbouwcorporatie)? Then in many municipalities you do not need an affordable housing permit, but in some you do. Check with your municipality.

Eligibility for an affordable housing permit

The eligibility conditions for an affordable housing permit differ depending on the municipality. Eligibility criteria may stipulate that:

you work or study in the municipality or region;
you already live (or have lived) in the municipality or region;
the property matches your income and the size of your family.

Check with your municipality whether you need an affordable housing permit and what the eligibility requirements are. If the municipality requires you to have an affordable housing permit, you can apply for one at your municipality.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Alkmaar

Here is some information from your municipality.

Municipality of Alkmaar: Applying for an affordable housing permit

Please note: you can apply for an affordable housing permit only if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.

Will you rent housing from a housing corporation?
The housing corporation will give you the affordable housing permit.

To be eligible for an affordable housing permit, you must meet the following conditions:

You must be 18 or older.
You have Dutch citizenship, a valid passport from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or a valid verblijfsvergunning (residence permit).
The taxable annual income of your household is € 45.014 or less (2022).
The basic rent of the housing is € 763,47 or less.

Applying online via DigiD

Huisvesting, vergunning - Gemeente Alkmaar

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality at phonenumber 0031 72 548 8888.

If the application is complete, you will find out within 2 weeks whether you will be granted an affordable housing permit. What happens if the application is incomplete? The municipality will contact you.