AMERSFOORT – The municipality of Amersfoort is going to convert Het Plot office building in the Hoefkwartier into living spaces for 129 residents. This is a so-called mixed housing project on Plotterweg, in which status holders, homeless people and long-term home seekers live together in a building.
The houses that become available are only for singles. As soon as the building is ready, each resident will have their own place. There are, however, shared facilities such as a kitchen, shower/laundry room and toilets. There is also a common room where residents can start activities together.
“There is a great shortage of homes in our city. That is annoying for the many home seekers, especially for people who urgently need housing,” says Alderman Menno Tiggelaar (living). With this, the alderman refers to people in social shelter, status holders or people who are urgently looking for a home for another reason. “With these temporary homes, future residents will get some air. Over the next five years, these temporary homes will offer an interim solution for people who are looking for a regular home. In the meantime, we are building new homes at a rapid pace, just like we do the have done in recent years.”
Meet and support
In the office building, residents are also asked to support other residents. “The whole concept of mixed living is aimed at allowing people to meet, get to know each other and be a support for each other,” a spokesperson for the municipality said. “To encourage this, a caretaker and community coach will be appointed. They will monitor the quality of life, manage the building and consider working groups and residents’ committees.”
The office building will be tackled in March. The first residents can expect the key in June. The housing project will last for five years. Among the 129 residents, 17 percent are homeless, 33 percent status holder and 50 percent regular home seekers.