At Halsten, we are working on behalf of a local authority, and in collaboration with organisations such as the Homeownership Guarantee Fund (WEW/NHG), the Dutch Municipal Credit Bank (SVn – Starterslening), and the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration, to develop innovative legal frameworks and products. These aim to provide practical solutions that make homeownership more accessible, especially for those taking their first steps onto the property ladder.
José de Block, legal counsel bij Halsten, shares her perspective:
“The key question in projects like this is always: ‘How can we make this affordable?’ I’m currently contributing to the development of an affordable homeownership scheme, which builds on a long-standing partnership from a previous initiative focused on accessible housing. It’s a socially significant topic that’s more urgent than ever, and I’m pleased that Halsten offers me the space to continue developing this collaboration.
In this case, the local authority was looking for a targeted solution for first-time buyers. So people navigating a market where buying a home has become virtually impossible. Legal expertise is essential when it comes to designing these types of discount arrangements. That includes understanding leasehold constructions, starter loans, fiscal structuring, and aligning with institutions such as NHG.
A socially driven municipal project like this brings a different dynamic than commercial assignments for private clients. It requires a deep understanding of the policy context, and the flexibility to adapt your role and way of working to that environment.
What makes this particular scheme especially promising is its long-term social impact: the benefit or discount is transferred within the same target group. That means the home remains within reach for future first-time buyers as well. And with increasing interest from other municipalities, we’re now seeing more and more projects like this move into development.”