Dutch Elections 2025: who will fix the housing crisis?

Right-wing parties: build more, regulate less

On the right side of the political spectrum, parties such as VVD, PVV, BBB, JA21, FvD, and SGP emphasize new construction, fewer regulations, and keeping the mortgage interest deduction in place. The VVD wants to make it easier for first-time buyers to save for a home through tax incentives, while the PVV would scrap green building requirements to speed up construction.

Centre parties: gradual reform

Centrist parties like CDA and NSC prefer gradual change. The CDA wants to phase out the mortgage interest deduction over a 30-year period, using the revenue to lower income tax. NSC argues for more stability in the housing market and believes homeowners should be allowed to keep their tax benefits for longer. Both parties agree that more homes must be built, but without sudden fiscal shocks.

Left-wing parties: housing as a basic right

On the left, parties such as GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, Volt, SP, ChristenUnie, the Party for the Animals, and Denk see housing as a social right rather than an investment. They propose to gradually abolish the mortgage tax deduction and reinvest the savings in affordable housing and lower taxes for low- and middle-income households. Volt wants to do this within four years, while D66 and GroenLinks-PvdA suggest a ten- to twelve-year timeline. These parties also focus strongly on sustainability and public housing projects.

The speed of construction

All parties agree that more homes are needed. The question is how to get there. Some want to cut red tape and streamline permits, while others call for stronger government direction and larger public investments. According to Taco van Hoek, director of the Economic Institute for Construction, the solution is within reach. “With the right policies, we could solve the housing shortage within five years. There’s plenty of space, but we’re not building fast enough on the outskirts of towns and cities,” he said.

Van Hoek also warns that tighter regulations and the new Affordable Rent Act have reduced rental supply, as many private landlords sold their properties.

More than one quick fix

DNB president Olaf Sleijpen agrees that there’s no single solution. “The biggest mistake is to focus on just one measure. Ending the mortgage interest deduction alone won’t fix the problem,” he said. Sleijpen argues for a balanced approach that combines faster construction, stable tax policy, and flexibility in housing options.

The 2025 elections will decide more than tax rules; they will determine the balance between building, taxation, and regulation. Whichever coalition forms the next government will shape whether the Dutch housing market finally starts moving again, or stays stuck for another four years.