PROBLEM?
Housing shortage: number of economically homeless continues to rise.
WHAT DOES THE Regenboog?
Temporary Living projects such as Onder de Pannen, Tijdelijk Onder Dak and Parentshouse.
WAT CAN YOU DO?
Like Pepijn, temporarily rent a room to a fellow townsman. Go to: www.onderdepannen.nl.
"YOU CAN MAKE A CALL ON FRIENDS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR SO LONG"
Under de Pannen pairs people who are economically homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with someone you could call an old-fashioned hospita. We visited two people who put it into practice.
"I have a morning temper," opens Pepijn Kieft (43), who rents out a room in his home through Onder de Pannen. "But he's working on it," responds Márcia (58), who lives with him, with a smile. And with that, good relations seem outlined. The location is a neighborhood of high and low flats on the outskirts of Haarlem. In the sky, Schiphol Airport shows itself and can be heard, but if you look between the buildings, you see vast meadows with cows. Pepijn's home is a sunny upper floor with balconies and light Asian furnishings; bamboo, beautifully crafted wooden boxes and large plants. Márcia has her own south-facing balcony and, says Pepijn, "surely the lightest and finest room." What is interesting, of course, is how and why the couple who, they soon share, have no relationship, came together.
Financially attractive
Pepijn is open and clear about it, "It's important to say right away that Onder de Pannen is financially attractive. You earn something with it. I work in a liquor store, but anyone with a room to spare can join, even if you get AOW or have benefits. And you don't get your benefits cut. Besides, you're helping someone tremendously. I really like that too. So I thought: yes, I do have a spare room, maybe it's an idea. Through my Brazilian stepmother, who in turn knew Márcia through a Facebook group, I came into contact with her."
Márcia on Onder de Pannen: "That this could, gives so much peace"
Wearthy existence
Márcia's Brazilian route was a tad more complicated. For love, she had already lived in the Netherlands for seven years. AND worked, because linguistically gifted as she is, she could find good work here. Back in Brazil, the thought of living here just wouldn't go away. Márcia: "In Brazil I had two, three jobs at the same time. Among other things, I taught Portuguese and literature and was dead tired when I got home. Never did I have money or time to spare. I missed the Netherlands. In all those years I had built a life here, especially in Haarlem. So I decided to return. A job was easy to find, but finding a place to live again was impossible." For a long time, Márcia actively searched on social networks and so Pepijn and Onder de Pannen Haarlem came into the picture. Márcia: "Fortunately, I also qualified, because I had lived in Haarlem for a long time and had a job and a social network here. The fact that I had already found someone who had a room to spare via via myself was of course nice. I also have to say that I really have no idea how else I would have solved it. You can only rely on friends and acquaintances for so long. That this was possible gives so much peace of mind. Actually, as an immigrant, I am especially grateful for everything that this country offers me: the chance to live, to work and to have a dignified existence as a human being."
Good match
An important question, of course, is whether the landlord and tenant are and will continue to be a good match together. This is handled thoughtfully and thoroughly. You get an official rental agreement and through Onder de Pannen the rent is guaranteed to be paid and includes professional guidance. Tenants are always screened and several meetings are held to get to know each other better. This includes a close look at the preferences, wishes and expectations of both parties. "One of the advantages with us is that we are not home a lot," says Pepijn. "We both work and I like to be outside, doing ornithology [ed. bird science]. That's all well talked through in advance anyway." Márcia: "And when we see each other, it's pretty cozy." Pepijn: "Except for my morning mood then." Márcia: "But he's working on that, then."
Aside benefit in Amsterdam?
Then renting out is now extra attractive. New rules allow Amsterdam residents under certain conditions to earn up to 475 euros per month from room rentals without affecting their welfare benefit.
Text: Gijs de Swarte and Jola Gosen | Photography: Ewa Wielgat