The living comfort in buildings decreases due to heat

Municipality is heatproof if

• Existing homes and (utility) buildings are designed to be heat-resistant and there is scope for action to prevent heat development as much as possible.
• New construction of homes is always built according to the TO-July standard (in Dutch).

Measures

• Inform residents about how the home can be kept cool by, for example, sun blinds on the outside, ventilation or closing curtains.
• Provide homes and buildings with sun protection measures, such as external sun blinds, sun protection glass or reflective curtains.
• Provide homes and buildings with a heat label.
• Introduce a subsidy for sun protection measures.
• Include heat measures in performance agreements with housing associations.
• Use materials that ensure a high albedo value of surfaces.

Tips

• The municipality has a facilitating role and conducts an initial study into heat-sensitive target groups, buildings and locations, which shows where heat sensitivity is greatest and the approach is most urgent.
• Plan a dialogue from the Housing working group with the organizations that score high based on the research into heat-sensitive target groups and buildings ( heat vulnerability overview ) and are therefore urgent.
• Ensure good coordination with internal colleagues (welfare, education, elderly care, energy transition , etc. ) who already have contacts with these organizations. A heat plan may already have been drawn up in which the relevant organizations are involved, or a heat & education action program. You can also contact schools and childcare via the GGD (JGZ and childcare inspection).
• Enter into dialogue (continuation of step 1) for both the short term (next summer based on heat plan and behavior) and the long term (how to reduce heat in buildings and area). The following agenda items can help with the dialogue:
  • Explain the process and results of the heat vulnerability overview.
  • Test and score the urgency of the vulnerabilities with the parties.
  • Discuss possible solutions. Use the guide 'Heat in existing homes' for this, and see also the process steps under 'Goal 6. Living comfort in buildings decreases due to heat'.
  • Jointly agree on next steps, for example subsidies, local regulations, creating awareness, etc.
  • Appoint action holders and responsible persons.
• Together with dialogue partners, create an implementation agenda that determines when each heat-vulnerable building will be tackled and what support is required.

The following documents are helpful for heat in housing association homes:

• Attention to heat stress in housing associations (in Dutch)
• Toolbox for heat in homes (in Dutch)