The Client’s Choice Programme: perceptions of housing associations and tenants:

Abstract

Papers workshops In the Netherlands, several housing associations have started offering a major part of their housing stock with a purchase option. This allows tenants of new and existing dwellings to choose between entering into a standard tenancy contract and purchasing the dwelling. Sales options often have the possibility of offering a discount, provided that the dwelling is sold back to the housing association if the dwelling is vacated. Housing experts expect many positive effects of what is referred to as “Client’s Choice” programmes. However, many of the effects have as yet not been completely evaluated. In this paper, we will evaluate several effects based on tenants’ opinions. We will discuss the results of interviews held with tenants of two neighbourhoods in which the Client’s Choice programme has been carried out for several years. The interviews have shown that tenants generally appreciate having the option of purchasing their dwelling, but that their expectations of and experiences with the positive (side) effects of the Client’s Choice programme differ from those of the management of housing associations.