🏘️ SDG 11 Eindhoven
People riding scooters on sustainable city street

🏙️ SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities

Making Eindhoven Inclusive, Affordable & Sustainable for Everyone

What is Sustainable Development Goal 11?

Dutch architecture white and black building

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Why it matters: More than half the global population now lives in cities, projected to reach nearly 70% by 2050. Without sustainable urban development, cities become engines of inequality, pollution, and vulnerability.

Key Targets by 2030:

  • 11.1 Housing: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
  • 11.2 Transport: Provide safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems for all
  • 11.3 Urbanization: Support inclusive and sustainable urbanization planning
  • 11.5 Resilience: Reduce deaths and economic losses from disasters
  • 11.6 Environment: Reduce air pollution and improve waste management
  • 11.7 Public Spaces: Provide universal access to safe, green and public spaces

The Challenge: Nearly 1.1 billion people live in slums or slum-like conditions. Housing costs burden 1.6-3 billion people globally. Only 3.2% of urban land is public green space—far below recommended standards.

Affordable housing is at the heart of this vision — and Eindhoven, as a fast-growing tech city, faces one of the Netherlands' biggest housing pressures.

🇳🇱 Housing Crisis in the Netherlands

The Netherlands faces an unprecedented housing shortage. With population growth outpacing construction, affordability has become a national crisis affecting millions.

The Scale of the Crisis

  • 401,000 homes shortage in 2024 (4.9% of total stock)
  • Up to 415,000 projected shortage by end of 2024
  • Needs 900,000+ new homes by 2030 to meet demand
  • Only 88,000 homes built annually (target: 232,000/year)
  • 7-year waiting list for social housing in many cities

Affordability Crisis

  • 5.4% rent increase year-on-year (largest since 1993)
  • Housing costs are unaffordable for millions
  • Affordable Rent Act (2024) introduced rent controls
  • Huurtoeslag (housing allowance) barely keeps pace with rising costs
  • Middle-income households increasingly unable to find homes

Root Causes

  • Population growth: 18.1M people, expanding faster than housing stock
  • Slow construction: Permitting delays and bureaucratic hurdles
  • Land scarcity: Limited buildable land in dense country
  • Rising costs: Material, labor, and land prices skyrocketing
  • Insufficient funding: Government targets not met for years

Who is Affected?

  • Students & young professionals: Priced out of independent living
  • Low-income families: Trapped in substandard housing or homelessness
  • Essential workers: Teachers, nurses can't afford to live near jobs
  • Regional inequality: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht hit hardest
  • Tech workers: High salaries inflate housing demand in tech hubs
401K Housing Shortage
5.4% Annual Rent Increase
7 yrs Social Housing Wait
900K Homes Needed by 2030

🏡 Eindhoven: A City Under Pressure

Eindhoven's growth brings prosperity — and a serious housing crunch.

< 2% Vacancy Rate
5–8 yrs Social Housing Wait
2,100 Homes Built (2024)
≥3,000 Annual Goal

Impact

  • Middle-class residents priced out
  • Long commutes from surrounding towns
  • Social and economic inequality widening
People walking down city street with tall buildings

⚠️ Why This Matters

Affordable housing is not a luxury — it's the foundation of human dignity, economic opportunity, and thriving communities.

When people lack affordable housing, the consequences ripple across society, affecting health, education, employment, and environmental sustainability.

🏥 Health & Well-being

  • Housing insecurity causes chronic stress and mental health crises
  • Overcrowded housing spreads infectious diseases faster
  • Poor housing conditions lead to respiratory and developmental issues in children
  • Displacement breaks social networks, increasing social isolation and loneliness
  • Long commutes reduce sleep, exercise, and family time

📚 Education & Development

  • Housing instability is a leading cause of school absenteeism
  • Children in unstable housing have lower test scores and graduation rates
  • Homelessness disrupts educational continuity and future opportunities
  • Young people delay independence and career advancement without affordable housing
  • Brain development suffers under chronic housing stress

💼 Economic Impact

  • Essential workers (nurses, teachers, cleaners) leave cities or industries
  • Businesses struggle to hire and retain talent without local workforce housing
  • High rent forces workers to spend 40-50% of income on housing instead of local spending
  • Regional economies suffer as young professionals migrate elsewhere
  • Lost productivity and tax revenue from workforce instability

🌍 Environment & Climate

  • Unaffordable housing near city centers forces long commutes by car
  • CO₂ emissions spike as people drive from distant suburbs
  • Sprawl consumes agricultural land and ecosystems
  • Dense, walkable neighborhoods with affordable housing reduce carbon footprints by 50-70%
  • Public transport becomes viable only with sufficient local population density

👥 Social Cohesion & Inequality

  • Economic inequality widens when only wealthy can afford cities
  • Communities become less diverse, reducing social integration and understanding
  • Public spaces empty as people retreat to gated, expensive neighborhoods
  • Generational wealth gaps expand when young people can't build equity through homeownership
  • Social trust erodes in unequal, segregated communities

🏘️ City Vitality

  • Vibrant cities need mixed-income neighborhoods to thrive
  • Street-level diversity and informal interactions create innovation and cultural richness
  • Without affordable housing, cities become sterile, gentrified enclaves
  • Local businesses and street life disappear when workers can't afford to live nearby
  • Economic resilience requires diverse populations and strong local networks
40-50% Income spent on rent (unaffordable)
50-70% CO₂ reduction in dense communities
2x Higher disease rates in overcrowding
1.1B People in housing poverty globally

Affordable housing = Health + Education + Jobs + Environment + Equality + Thriving Communities

💡 Our Plan: A Local Path to Affordable Homes

Eindhoven can become a European model for sustainable and inclusive housing through seven integrated strategies

These evidence-based approaches have proven successful in cities worldwide. By combining rapid construction, strategic partnerships, smart regulation, and innovative financing, Eindhoven can meet its goal of 3,000+ affordable homes annually by 2028.

🚀

Build Faster, Build Smarter

Goal: Reduce construction time from 3-4 years to 18-24 months

  • Fast-track permits: Dedicated planning desk for affordable housing projects
  • Modular housing: Factory-built units reduce on-site time by 40%, lower costs by 15-20%
  • Office conversions: Eindhoven has 250,000+ m² empty office space—convert to 2,000+ apartments
  • Digital planning: BIM (Building Information Modeling) reduces errors and delays
  • Pre-approved designs: Standard affordable housing blueprints skip design approval phase

Impact: +500 homes/year within 2 years

🤝

Partner with Housing Associations

Goal: Leverage expertise of established housing providers

  • Woonbedrijf collaboration: Currently manages 30,000+ units—partner on 1,000+ new affordable homes
  • Co-op model: Support housing cooperatives (cohousing)—lower costs, stronger community
  • Land leasing: Municipal land leases keep housing permanently affordable (not sold for profit)
  • 30-40% quotas: Require affordable units in all new developments (Vienna model)
  • Revenue sharing: Profits from mixed-income projects fund affordable units

Impact: Sustainable long-term supply of 400+ homes/year

🏗️

Smart Zoning & Land Banking

Goal: Stabilize land prices and ensure equitable development

  • Inclusionary zoning: Every new neighborhood includes mixed-income housing
  • Land banking: Municipality buys and holds land to prevent speculation
  • Public land auctions: Sell municipal land only to developers meeting affordability targets
  • Density bonuses: Allow taller buildings in exchange for affordable units
  • Mixed-income design: Affordable and market-rate units indistinguishable (avoiding stigma)

Impact: Long-term price stability + 300+ homes/year

💰

Innovative Financing

Goal: Create sustainable funding mechanism independent of annual budgets

  • Eindhoven Affordable Homes Fund: €50-100M seed capital from municipality + private investors
  • Green bonds: EU climate finance + Dutch pension funds seeking social impact returns
  • Revolving funds: Profits reinvested to build more homes (self-sustaining model)
  • Developer impact fees: Luxury projects fund affordable housing (cross-subsidy)
  • Tax incentives: Reduced VAT (6% vs 21%) and property tax for affordable housing

Impact: €200-300M available for 1,000+ homes

🏘️

Short-Term Relief (2025-2026)

Goal: Immediate housing solutions while major projects develop

  • Startblok model: Temporary modular communities for students & young workers (proven in Amsterdam)
  • Expanded huurtoeslag: Increase housing allowance for middle-income households
  • Rent caps: Enforce ceilings on social housing (€1.5-2/m² per month)
  • Community land trusts: Non-profit ownership keeps homes affordable permanently
  • Shared housing programs: Connect empty rooms with people seeking affordable housing

Impact: Relief for 500+ people within 6 months

👥

Community-Led Housing

Goal: Empower residents to shape their neighborhoods

  • Co-housing developments: Shared spaces (kitchens, gardens) reduce individual costs by 20-30%
  • Tiny homes: 30-40m² highly efficient units for singles & couples (€150-200/month rent)
  • Community ownership: Residents have stake in decision-making and maintenance
  • Urban gardening: Green spaces, food production, mental health benefits
  • Participatory design: Communities design their own neighborhoods (increased belonging)

Impact: 200+ homes + stronger social fabric

📊

Track Progress & Stay Transparent

Goal: Accountability and evidence-based adaptation

Public dashboard showing real-time KPIs:

  • ✅ New homes built (monthly, by type)
  • ✅ % of new units that are affordable
  • ✅ Average rent vs. average income (affordability ratio)
  • ✅ Waiting list length & average wait time
  • ✅ Investment spent vs. budget
  • ✅ Jobs created in construction & services
  • ✅ Green space per resident (SDG 11.7)
  • ✅ Community satisfaction scores

Tools: Annual progress report + quarterly city council briefings + citizen feedback portal

7 Integrated Strategies
3,000+ Homes/Year Target
18-24 Months Build Time
2028 Full Scale Launch

Together, these seven strategies create a sustainable, scalable path to housing for everyone in Eindhoven.

Aerial view of city buildings during daytime

📊 Key Data Overview

Evidence-based metrics track progress toward making Eindhoven an affordable, sustainable city for everyone

The Netherlands Housing Crisis: Key Metrics

Indicator Current Status (2024) Trend Impact
Housing Shortage 401,000 homes 📈 Worsening 4.9% of national stock
Rent Increase (YoY) 5.4% 📈 Highest since 1993 Massive affordability crisis
Homes Built Annually 88,000 📉 Below target Need 232,000/year by 2024
Social Housing Wait Time 7 years 📈 Increasing Longer in major cities (8+ years)
Housing Affordability Burden 1.6–3 billion people globally affected 📈 Growing 30-40% of income goes to housing
Population (Netherlands) 18.1 million 📈 Growing Outpacing housing construction

Eindhoven's Path to 2030: Progress Metrics

KPI 2024 Baseline 2028 Target 2030 Goal Measurement
New Homes Built/Year 2,100 3,000 3,500 Building permits approved
Affordable Share (%) 25% 35% 40% % of new units < €2/m²/month
Social Housing Wait Time 5–8 years 3–4 years < 3 years Average wait (days)
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33% 28% 25% Average rent ÷ average income
Office Space Converted 0 m² 100,000 m² 250,000 m² Converted to residential
Modular/Prefab Units 0 800 units 1,500 units Fast-build housing projects
Co-housing Communities 2 8 15 Active cooperative developments
Green Space/Resident 12 m² 14 m² 15 m² Public parks + gardens per capita
Investment Deployed €0 €100M €150M Affordable Homes Fund allocated
Jobs Created Baseline 2,000 3,500 Construction & service sector jobs

Linking to UN SDG 11 Targets

Eindhoven's plan directly addresses all seven SDG 11 targets, creating an integrated approach to sustainable cities and communities:

🏠 11.1 – Affordable Housing for All

UN Target: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services

Current Challenge:

  • 1.6-3 billion people globally spend >30% income on housing
  • Eindhoven wait: 5-8 years for affordable homes
  • 25% of new builds are currently affordable

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Build 3,000+ homes/year by 2028 (up from 2,100)
  • Achieve 40% affordability quota in new projects
  • Reduce rent-to-income ratio from 33% to <25%
  • Cut social housing waiting time to <3 years
  • Convert 250,000 m² vacant offices to apartments

Expected Outcome: Housing accessible to all income levels, ending affordability crisis

🚌 11.2 – Safe & Sustainable Transport

UN Target: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems

Current Challenge:

  • Expensive housing forces workers into car commutes
  • 6 of 10 urban residents have convenient public transit
  • Sprawl increases emissions & traffic congestion

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Build 70% of affordable housing within 500m of transit
  • Expand tram/bus lines to new neighborhoods
  • Create protected bike lanes (target: +50 km by 2028)
  • Encourage car-sharing & e-mobility options
  • Make transit free for low-income residents

Expected Outcome: Reduced commute times, lower emissions, healthier communities

🗣️ 11.3 – Inclusive & Safe Urbanization

UN Target: Provide inclusive and accessible green and public spaces

Current Challenge:

  • Urban expansion excludes marginalized communities
  • Top-down planning ignores resident voices
  • Segregation grows in unequal cities

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Community co-design of all new neighborhoods
  • Monthly public consultations on housing plans
  • Mandatory mixed-income housing integration
  • Support local neighborhood associations
  • Ensure housing access for vulnerable groups

Expected Outcome: Communities shape their neighborhoods, stronger social cohesion

🏛️ 11.4 – Protect Cultural Heritage

UN Target: Protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage

Current Challenge:

  • Rapid development can destroy historic neighborhoods
  • Gentrification erases community identity
  • Lost cultural landmarks & heritage sites

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Preserve historic Philips factory buildings as mixed-use spaces
  • Adaptive reuse of cultural landmarks
  • Community archives & oral history projects
  • Protect green heritage sites & historic neighborhoods

Expected Outcome: Vibrant, culturally-rich neighborhoods honoring history

🌊 11.5 – Disaster Risk Reduction

UN Target: Significantly reduce deaths and economic losses from disasters

Current Challenge:

  • 92,199 infrastructure units damaged annually globally
  • Climate change increases flood & heat risks
  • Vulnerable populations most affected

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Build climate-resilient housing (flood-resistant designs)
  • Green infrastructure: bioswales, rain gardens, wetlands
  • Cool roofs & passive cooling reduce heat deaths
  • Emergency response training for vulnerable residents
  • Affordable insurance & disaster relief funds

Expected Outcome: Communities safe from climate impacts, resilient & prepared

♻️ 11.6 – Reduce Environmental Impact

UN Target: Reduce adverse environmental impact of cities including air quality and waste

Current Challenge:

  • Urban air pollution causes 7M+ deaths annually
  • Building sector produces 39% of global emissions
  • Municipal waste overwhelms landfills

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • 100% renewable energy in new affordable homes
  • Net-zero carbon construction standards
  • Circular economy: reuse & recycling programs
  • Electric vehicle charging in all new projects
  • Ban gas heating in new builds (heat pumps only)

Expected Outcome: Clean air, zero-carbon neighborhoods, waste-free communities

🌳 11.7 – Green & Public Spaces for All

UN Target: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces

Current Challenge:

  • Only 3.2% of urban land is public green space globally
  • Poor neighborhoods lack parks & recreation
  • Nature deficit affects health & wellbeing

Eindhoven's Actions:

  • Increase green space from 12 to 15 m² per capita
  • Public parks within 10 minutes walk of all homes
  • Community gardens in every neighborhood (food security)
  • Urban forests & biodiversity corridors
  • Free access to all green spaces for all residents

Expected Outcome: Healthy, livable neighborhoods with nature integrated into daily life

🎯 How These Targets Work Together

SDG 11's seven targets create an integrated vision: affordable housing (11.1) connected by sustainable transport (11.2) in inclusive neighborhoods (11.3) that preserve heritage (11.4), resist disasters (11.5), reduce environmental impact (11.6), and provide green spaces (11.7).

Eindhoven's integrated approach:

  • Every new affordable home sits near transit (11.1 + 11.2)
  • Mixed-income design ensures community inclusion (11.1 + 11.3)
  • Green infrastructure provides both climate resilience AND recreation (11.5 + 11.7)
  • Renewable energy & transit reduce emissions while improving health (11.2 + 11.6)
  • Community design protects heritage while building new (11.3 + 11.4)

Result: A truly sustainable city where affordable, healthy, connected neighborhoods serve everyone—the vision of SDG 11.

3,000+ Homes/Year by 2028
40% Target Affordability
€150M Total Investment
3,500 Jobs Created

Data Sources: CBS Netherlands, UN SDG, Gemeente Eindhoven, Global Goals, ABN AMRO Housing Research | Last Updated: October 2025

🗓️ Roadmap to 2030

A phased approach to scaling affordable housing from pilot projects to a city-wide transformation

🚀 Phase 1: Foundation & Pilots

2025 – 2026

Goal: Establish institutions, secure funding, launch pilot projects

New Homes/Year 2,100 → 2,500
Affordability 25% → 30%
Investment €0 → €50M
Wait Time 7 yrs → 6.5 yrs

Key Actions:

  • ✅ Create Affordable Homes Fund: €50M seed capital from municipality + private investors
  • ✅ Pass inclusionary zoning ordinance: Require 30% affordable in all new projects
  • ✅ Pilot modular housing: 200 units on brownfields (18-month build time)
  • ✅ Launch office conversions: 20,000 m² vacant office → 150 apartments
  • ✅ Partner with Woonbedrijf: Agreement to build 300+ affordable homes/year
  • ✅ Start co-housing initiatives: 3 communities designed for 200 residents
  • ✅ Establish land bank: Secure municipal land for long-term development
  • ✅ Fast-track permitting: Dedicated planning desk reduces approval from 18 months to 6 months

Expected Outcomes: Foundations laid, initial pilot success, momentum built for scaling

Expansion Phase

📈 Phase 2: Rapid Scaling

2027 – 2028

Goal: Reach full production capacity, achieve affordability targets

New Homes/Year 2,500 → 3,000+
Affordability 30% → 40%
Investment €50M → €120M
Wait Time 6.5 yrs → 4 yrs

Key Actions:

  • ✅ Scale modular housing: 800+ units across 4 neighborhoods
  • ✅ Complete office conversions: 100,000 m² → 750 apartments
  • ✅ Launch transit-oriented development: 5 major projects near tram/bus hubs
  • ✅ Expand green bonds financing: €70M in impact finance from EU + pension funds
  • ✅ Build 8 co-housing communities: 800 residents in mixed-income developments
  • ✅ Create community land trust: Non-profit ownership ensures permanent affordability
  • ✅ Establish rent cap enforcement: €1.5-2/m² social housing protections
  • ✅ Deploy 1,000 jobs: Construction, services, management positions

Expected Outcomes: Production at target capacity, affordability goals met, waiting times cut by 40%

Consolidation Phase

🎯 Phase 3: Consolidation & Legacy

2029 – 2030

Goal: Establish sustainable systems, achieve SDG 11 vision

New Homes/Year 3,000+ → 3,500+
Affordability 40% → 40%+
Investment €120M → €150M
Wait Time 4 yrs → <3 yrs

Key Actions:

  • ✅ Complete office conversion: 250,000 m² → 1,875 apartments (citywide transformation)
  • ✅ Achieve SDG 11 vision: Affordable, sustainable, inclusive neighborhoods citywide
  • ✅ Cut waiting lists by 50%: From 7 years to <3 years for social housing
  • ✅ Green space expansion: 12 m² → 15 m² per capita across city
  • ✅ Establish 15 co-housing communities: 1,500+ residents in cooperative housing
  • ✅ Scale community land trust: Permanently affordable housing for 5,000+ residents
  • ✅ Create 3,500 jobs: Ongoing construction, operations, maintenance, services
  • ✅ Achieve carbon neutrality: All new housing at net-zero emissions
  • ✅ Document lessons learned: Create European model for replication

Expected Outcomes: Eindhoven becomes European model for sustainable housing, affordability crisis resolved, thriving mixed-income communities

Critical Milestones by Year

2025-2026: Foundation

  • Q1 2025: Fund launched
  • Q2 2025: Zoning ordinance passed
  • Q3 2025: First modular project breaks ground
  • Q4 2025: 200 modular units under construction
  • 2026: 150 office conversions completed
  • 2026: First co-housing community occupied

2027-2028: Scaling

  • 2027: 2,500+ new homes built
  • 2027: Waiting list drops below 6 years
  • 2028: Reach 3,000+ homes/year target
  • 2028: 40% affordability achieved
  • 2028: 1,000 jobs created
  • 2028: €120M invested in housing

2029-2030: Legacy

  • 2029: 250,000 m² offices converted
  • 2029: Waiting lists cut by 50%
  • 2029: 15 co-housing communities active
  • 2030: 3,500+ homes/year sustainable
  • 2030: 3,500 permanent jobs created
  • 2030: European model demonstrated

2030 Achievement: SDG 11 Vision

  • ✅ Affordable housing for all
  • ✅ Sustainable transport networks
  • ✅ Inclusive communities
  • ✅ Climate resilience built-in
  • ✅ Zero-carbon neighborhoods
  • ✅ Green spaces everywhere

How We'll Track Progress

📊 Public Dashboard (Updated Monthly)

  • Homes built this month/year
  • % of units that are affordable
  • Average rental cost
  • Waiting list length
  • Investment deployed
  • Jobs created
  • Green space per capita
  • Community satisfaction scores

📋 Accountability Mechanisms

  • Quarterly city council briefings
  • Annual progress reports (public)
  • Community feedback portal
  • Third-party impact audits
  • Mayor + leadership committed to KPIs
  • Consequences for missing targets
  • Transparent budget allocation
  • Public-private partnership oversight

💬 Voices from the City

"A sustainable city isn't just smart — it's fair."

— Eindhoven City Vision

"Affordable housing means opportunity, diversity, and growth for everyone."

📅 Get Involved

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🏗️

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Join neighborhood design workshops & community events

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