Key workers and people under the age of 28 will be given priority for a social housing project being built in Amsterdam.

The complex of 136 studio flats, with a surface area of between 33 and 41 m2, will be available to rent from next year for €728 per month.

Landlord Syntrus Achmea said it would give teachers, police officers, healthcare workers and young people looking for their first home first choice at the development in Oostenburg.

‘In principle we have a free choice when it comes to letting these properties,’ spokeswoman Annemarie Maarse told AT5. ‘But we are deliberately choosing to give these groups priority. We think it is very important that key workers such as teachers, nurses and police officers can live near their work in the city.’

Last year the city council helped find homes for 100 health workers and 40 teachers through its mediation scheme out of 1,012 applicants, while another 310 were placed on the waiting list.