Housing construction is again trailing previous years, with the predicted dip for 2024 and 2025 now confirmed, the housing ministry said in its latest report on the housing market.

In the first three quarters of this year, 54,100 homes were added to the nation’s housing stock. If the final quarter follows the same pattern, the total will reach 77,600 — well below last year’s 82,400 and far short of the government’s target of building 100,000 new homes annually.

“We are still not building the number of homes that is needed and the housing shortage remains severe,” caretaker housing minister Mona Keijzer said. A report by the housing ministry earlier this year suggested that the outgoing government’s plans to build 100,000 new homes a year will not be realised until 2027.

According to the report, economic conditions are likely to improve and construction should pick up in the next two years. The number of building permits issued rose between July and September, offering an early indication of future growth.

In particular, the 12 Dutch provinces have outlined plans for 930,400 new homes to be built between 2025 and 2030 under Keijzer’s “housing deals” project.

She is also working on plans to make it easier to add new storeys to existing buildings and divide large properties into smaller units as well as boost the number of industrial and office conversions.

In addition, in June, Keijzer identified 24 locations where building work can be carried out more quickly, by cutting red tape and appeal procedures.

Government research suggests the Netherlands is currently short of some 400,000 new homes.