.avif)
Skien municipality has realized the development of attractive care housing at "Tømmerkaia" with the help of the Norwegian State Housing Bank and VAT exemptions. The image is provided courtesy of Steinar Moe Eiendom AS.
A lack of insight into the regulations means that municipalities are missing out on hundreds of millions in grants from the Norwegian State Housing Bank for the development of care housing.
Last year, the Norwegian State Housing Bank was left with 800 million kroner in unused funds. At the same time, there is a major shortage of suitable housing for people with minor care needs—those who do not require 24-hour health and care services.
Population projections show that there will be a sharp increase in the need for adapted housing in the coming years. Statistics Norway has calculated that there will be a need for 18,000 new care places by 2035.
A goldmine for municipalities
This year, the Norwegian State Housing Bank has a grant framework of 3.4 billion kroner, where the grant per housing unit amounts to nearly two million kroner:
• With direct grants and VAT compensation, the State covers 58 percent of the costs for the sale of care housing.
• For rental care housing, the State's share is as much as 61 percent.
This cost relief allows residents to afford to cover their housing costs themselves, without burdening municipal budgets.
Must close knowledge gaps
"We must spread knowledge about the excellent financing opportunities," pointed out Alexander With, partner and lawyer at CMS Kluge, when he presented the new guide on the development of care housing created by the Norwegian Contractors Association (EBA).
With delivered a clear and accessible presentation at a gathering held by Eiendomsforum and Kunnskapsbyen on August 25th. Property developers, contractors, municipalities, and politicians were invited to an orientation on the financing of care housing.
Alexander With advised the assembly to act quickly and prepare projects for grants. Recently, there has been significant attention surrounding these favorable financing schemes.
Turning needs into action
Romerike should be a good place to live, thrive, and work. That must also be the starting point for housing construction. The innovation district NODE60 is committed to sharing knowledge about available tools and financing schemes.
This is crucial for us to be able to turn needs into action. If we are to succeed with the care services of the future, municipalities, the business sector, property developers, research communities, and financial actors must work more closely together to find good and sustainable solutions.
As a meeting place and arena for collaboration, Kunnskapsbyen and NODE60 want to help more actors connect, share experiences, and realize projects that strengthen both welfare and social development in Romerike.
