| Dampoort renovates! – for buyers in need | |
| Brief Description | ‘Dampoort renovates!’ is an innovative and inclusive renovation project that aimed to renovate ten houses of ‘buyers in need’ (i.e., low SES individuals that bought a low quality house but do not have the budget to renovate it) in the district of Dampoort, Ghent, during a period of two years (2014-2016). The goal was to create high qualitative, safe, energy efficient and healthy houses. The participating owners received a financial intervention of 30 000 euros. This innovative project combined sustainable financial solutions with an extensive guidance of low SES individuals that bought a low quality house but do not have the budget to renovate their houses. ‘Dampoort renovates!’ provided ‘buyers in need’ from the same district financial help and intensive social and technical advice to renovate their house. As a result of this project, these participants now live in safe, energy efficient, healthy and comfortable houses. When the house will be sold in the future, the invested budget will return to the government so this budget can be re-used for another ‘buyer in need’. This practice also had many other assets: 1) the individual guidance and positive results increased the many quality of life indicators of the ‘buyers in need’; 2) the project declined social repression and increased social cohesion in the neighborhood; and 3) it adds to the climate goals by the positive effects on energy efficiency in the houses of the included participants. |
| Image | – |
| European Country/Countries | Belgium |
| Field | Energy efficient housing: Energy efficiency of buildings, Energy efficient housing: Energy saving behaviors |
| Type | Intervention |
| Impact | Health, Equity, Environmental sustainability |
| Status | Completed |
| Target Group | Low socio-economic status, Buyers in need |
| Evaluation | Yes |
| Level | Local |
| INHERIT Perspective | ‘Dampoort renovates!’ has been included because of its positive effects on health, climate, and equity. This innovative project aims to renovate houses of ‘buyers in need’ (i.e., low SES individuals that bought a low quality house but do not have budget to renovate it). The goal is to create safe, energy efficient and healthy houses. The project includes the following components: 1) 30 000 euros renovation subsidy (i.e., rotating fund), 2) community building strategies, and 3) intensive guidance. This project has a clear emphasis on changing both BEHAVIOR and PHYSICAL HOME ENVIRONMENT, and increasing social cohesion and empowerment among participants. |
| Detailed description PDF filename | Download file |
| Relevant links | https://samenlevingsopbouwgent.be/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/12/Brochure_Dampoort_knapt_op_v4.pdf |
| Contact | Ann Van Hoof, vzw Sivi, ann.vanhoof@vzwsivi.be |
