As a result of the so-called ‘pile plague’, a bacterial erosion of pile foundations, the quality of many pre-war residences in Haarlem is deteriorating. Restoration a pricey.  Could a central approach be a solution?

In a period of only five years, 2000-2005, as many as 1,200 private households in Haarlem have renovated the poor foundations of their homes. They have done this through joint project commissioning, which is supported by the municipality of Haarlem.

Haarlem assists the private households by providing subsidies, deploying its public-law instruments and offering intensive process supervision. The municipality also takes action against homeowners who do not cooperate with the group approach and make things difficult for homeowners who do want to cooperate.

• All foundation inspections have now been conducted.
• Restoration or new build plans are now being prepared for 468 houses.
• Restoration work is being carried out at 297 houses.
• The foundations of 448 residences have been restored.

Obstacles to carrying out the work are primarily connected to the existing regulations that are not suited to  this kind of process.  The financing and taxing of and the mortgage lending for the restoration work are particularly problematic. The municipality is trying to develop new financing strategies that will get as many residents as possible to go along with the restoration process.

The municipality of Haarlem offers subsidies for foundation inspection, foundation restoration and demolition/new build.

Haarlem Foundations Policy Office
Haarlem Foundations Policy Office, tel. +31 23 5113692

01/06/2002

case

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing management

Housing maintenance