Hospi Housing as a versatile solution
The housing shortage in Nijmegen is a fact. At the same time, there is a large group of people with a spare room in their home. Hospi Housing offers a solution by matching (international) students with local hosts and host families. Experience shows that this way of living has a positive effect on the well-being of both the host and student.
Hospi Housing personally gets to know all hosts and host families and helps them to take a student into their home temporarily. At the same time, they represent the student, making sure they do not overpay and that they have a safe place to stay. Living with a host can help combat loneliness and offers landlords additional financial support. Agnes Muskens, vice-president of Radboud University: ''The room shortage among students is high. Therefore, we welcome every extra room that becomes available. Hospi Housing can help with this”. Yvonne Haan, vice-president of HAN University of Applied Sciences adds: “In today's tight housing market, we need to be creative and give all possible solutions a chance. That's why we as HAN are happy to cooperate on this initiative”.
Expansion to Nijmegen
Hospi Housing is already active in Groningen, Leiden, Maastricht and Utrecht and has a network of more than 500 hosts and host families and 10,000 students. With Nijmegen, Hospi Housing takes the next step in its mission to make a significant contribution to the fight against the housing shortage. Daan Donkers of Hospi Housing: “As the oldest city in the Netherlands, Nijmegen is a unique place. It has many study opportunities and a vibrant student life. We are proud that, with our concept, we can help new Nijmegen residents find a safe home and get their student life off to a great start”.
Within Nijmegen, the aim is to build a network of host families, hosts and students and then create matches between supply and demand. A two-year agreement has been signed, with costs being shared between the municipality of Nijmegen, Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences. The aim is to create 100 matches a year and build a sustainable and social solution to the housing shortage. Councillor Grete Visser: “Students belong in Nijmegen. They make our city lively and attractive. Unfortunately, it is also difficult to find a room here. That's why Hospi Housing is a great initiative where the knife cuts both ways!”
Hospi Housing in Nijmegen
In the municipality of Nijmegen, citizens is allowed to rent out one or two rooms in your house without a permit. It does not matter whether you live in a house for sale or rent (provided the landlord agrees) and what the composition of your household is. Want to know more or need personal advice? Then check the municipality's website: nijmegen.nl/kamerverhuren or contact Hospi Housing: www.hospihousing.com.