Ahead of the upcoming Provincial Council elections (Provinciale Statenverkiezingen), HOGIAF recently received a visit from CDA Noord-Holland lead candidate Dennis Heijnen and candidate number 2 Christa Kuiper
During the visit of CDA Noord-Holland lead candidate Dennis Heijnen and candidate number 2 Christa Kuiper to HOGIAF, it became clear what the party's two main priorities are for the coming elections.
Housing construction Housing is firmly number one. The province is densely populated and faces heavy pressure on the housing market. House prices are rising and there is a great need for additional homes. Young people find it hard to find a home, especially if they want to keep living in their own community. Older people cannot find a place nearby if they want to downsize. According to the forecasts, Noord-Holland will need more than 210,000 homes up to 2040, of which the first 70,000 must be built in the next four years. The CDA therefore wants the province to take up its role as a driver of housing construction. Providing space is the watchword. If the municipality considers building within the urban area undesirable, the province should give permission to build outside the urban area, on the edges of towns and villages.
Economy and SMEs
During the visit, the CDA's plans for the business community were also discussed. Dennis and Christa made clear that they are proud of the fine businesses that have established themselves in Noord-Holland. In recent years, hard work has gone into safeguarding employment. That work must be continued. Innovation and providing space are the key words for successful entrepreneurship. The CDA wants the province to act as an interregional adviser and as a catalyst for economic activity.
Over the past four years the CDA has achieved success through the introduction of the Innovation and SME Sustainability Fund (see: https://innovatiefondsnoordholland.nl). This fund focuses on (sustainable) innovation, support for SMEs and strengthening the regional economy. The CDA wants to continue these funds in the coming years and draw more attention to them.
The CDA also sees opportunities to link education and business better. The provincial jobs ambassador must continue to work for more jobs, a better match between education and the labour market, and more internship and work-learning places. We want to keep the jobs in the port, precisely because many practically trained people work there.
We see tourism as a major economic opportunity. It is now the third economic sector in Noord-Holland. Thanks to its many beautiful authentic towns and cities, its lovely countryside and its water-rich areas, Noord-Holland is a pleasant place to be. At the same time, in busy areas such as the centre of Amsterdam and the Dijk in Volendam, tourists are seen as a threat to liveability. To preserve liveability in the tourist hotspots, we must spread tourists out. Tourism is then an enormous economic opportunity and good for employment. Young people in particular can do well in this sector.
Dennis Heijnen and Christa Kuiper
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