Gent City to Raise Funds via ‘City Bond’ to Finance Social Housing: “Residents Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis Themselves”
The city of Gent, Belgium, is planning to launch a “city bond” to generate capital for social housing initiatives, according to recent reports. The move aims to involve residents directly in addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the region.
The initiative will allow residents to invest in the city’s social housing projects, effectively becoming stakeholders in the solution. This approach reflects a growing trend of municipalities seeking innovative financing methods to address critical infrastructure and social needs.
Currently, the city’s social housing is managed by Thuispunt Gent, the housing corporation for the city of Gent. Thuispunt Gent manages more than 10,000 social homes in Gent and its municipalities, offering apartments and houses for rent. The organization was formed through a merger of various social housing companies and a social rental agency in Gent. More information about Thuispunt Gent can be found on their website.
To qualify for social housing in Gent, applicants must meet specific criteria, including age (18 or older), income limits and asset restrictions. As of March 2026, the income thresholds are €31,361 for single individuals without dependents, €33,988 for single individuals with a disability, and €47,039 for all other cases, plus an additional €2,629 per dependent. Applicants must also be registered in the population or aliens register and not own any property, either domestically or abroad. Further details on eligibility requirements are available on the Stad Gent website.
Individuals interested in applying for social housing are required to gather necessary documentation and register through the central registration system (CIR) of Flanders. The application process can be completed online using Itsme or an e-ID card reader. Those who are already on a waiting list, have been removed from the population register, or are minors without legal guardianship will need to contact Thuispunt Gent directly to complete their registration. Information for those seeking to rent from the former Gentse Haard can be found by contacting [email protected] or calling 09 216 75 75 (option 1).
The city’s plan to issue bonds underscores the increasing pressure on local governments to find creative solutions to address affordable housing shortages. The success of this initiative could potentially serve as a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges.
