Idealis is launching a pilot project in which, for the first time, young professionals will be eligible for independent housing. A total of 10 to 15 studios will be reserved for this new target group. The goal of the pilot is to explore whether offering housing to young professionals aligns with Idealis’ mission and the needs of its existing core group: students. The pilot has been agreed upon with the Municipality of Wageningen, which, like Idealis, is committed to helping relieve the housing pressure among young people.
“We want to see whether housing young professionals suits our organization,” says Bart van As, Executive Director of Idealis. “Young people’s housing needs are changing, and we’re seeing the line between student and young professional blur more and more. You can either research whether this fits — or you can just try it. We’re going for the latter.”
The pilot does not involve rooms in student houses, but instead independent studios within existing student complexes. These studios will be available to young professionals aged 18 to 27, who will receive a so-called youth housing contract that allows them to stay for a maximum of five years.
A broader social motivation
The pilot aligns with Idealis’ strategic plan, which includes exploring broader target groups and alternative forms of housing. According to Van As, there are several reasons behind the move:
“We’re seeing more students take a gap year or work temporarily during or after their studies. At the same time, some young professionals are still enrolled in part-time education. These groups are increasingly overlapping — also through social media.”
The pilot is not a response to vacant housing due to declining student numbers. On the contrary, Idealis expects a high demand for housing in the coming years due to major renovation projects. During these renovations, current student tenants will be temporarily relocated within Idealis’ housing portfolio, and some rooms will be converted into more communal spaces.
Still, Idealis sees potential long-term benefits in broadening its target group. “It would make us less vulnerable in the future if the number of students decreases,” says Van As.
Timeline
The exact location of the pilot has yet to be determined, and a start date is not yet set. However, Idealis aims to welcome the first young professionals before the end of 2025.
The studios will be pubished on:
