Over the next five years, an additional 375,000 homes need to be built in Belgium to avoid a housing crisis, according to Embuild, the construction confederation, during the Batibouw opening on Saturday.
This year, the Batibouw exhibition focuses on alternative housing forms, such as tiny houses and cohabitation. However, a preliminary study reveals that few Belgians consider these as viable options.
Embuild sees greater potential in modular construction, where parts of new homes are not built on-site. “Modular homes meet growing demand as they can be constructed quickly and efficiently,” says Niko Demeester, Embuild’s CEO. “They also offer design and execution flexibility, allowing for adaptation to consumer needs.”
To prevent a housing crisis, Embuild calls for an expedited permit process. “The average duration in Flanders is just over two years, but in complex cases, it can take up to five years or more. This is unacceptable.” The confederation also urges local authorities to accept more high-rise constructions. “There is no other option to provide enough housing for everyone,” they assert.
Embuild also encourages consumers to start (re)construction projects. Housing prices are dropping (or rising slower than inflation), construction material costs have stabilised, and interest rates are at 3%, described as a “normal level” which “won’t decrease significantly soon,” notes the confederation.
