The Hague

IT IS TIME FOR A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT IN THE HAGUE

NSC wants to enter the The Hague City Council on March 18. Our motto: the government is there for the citizens, not the other way around. Our core values are:

• Social security
• Good governance
• The rule of law.

NSC stands for a reliable government that listens, and for a society in which people live together rather than alongside one another — a social contract between government and citizens, and between citizens themselves. NSC stands for a renewed social contract between the municipality and the residents of The Hague, the city of peace and justice.

1. GOOD GOVERNANCE – THE MUNICIPALITY IS THERE FOR THE CITIZENS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

For us, a city rests on two foundations: a reliable government and a society in which residents find each other, help each other and trust each other.

Good governance should take its direction from the citizens, as part of a renewed social contract, expressed in clear language that everyone understands. It must concern all residents.

We want practical solutions to problems, supported by the population itself.

Communication with the municipality must improve, as must access to municipal departments. There should be one service counter for new residents and one for all other residents, with proper referral to the right person.

The Municipal Ombudsman and the Youth Ombudsman for the Hague region are of great importance. It must become much clearer how, where and when residents can contact them. They must be impartial, independent and accessible to all.

NSC will also organise a weekly consultation hour, with or without appointment.

Connection is essential in a multicultural city like The Hague. This means:

• Support for local citizens’ initiatives
• Strong contact with residents’ organisations
• Encouraging neighbourhood intervention committees

Subsidies must be monitored more carefully, while ensuring access for organisations with smaller subsidy needs.

There must also be attention to digital services and the protection of personal data.

2. A CLEAN AND SAFE MUNICIPALITY

The Hague must become more liveable and safer, with a clean and well-maintained public environment. Both the municipality and residents have an active role in this. That too is part of the social contract.

Measures include:

• Good street lighting at vulnerable locations
• Municipal public transport operating into the night
• Easily accessible sidewalks
• Streets accessible to cars where appropriate

Public order must be maintained with attention not only to symptoms, but also to the causes of disturbances.

We also want to:

• Strengthen neighbourhood cohesion
• Tackle long-term vacancy in buildings and homes

3. A COMMUNITY WITH A STORY

The Hague is a city with a long history and many faces and cultures. This means focusing on:

• Integration
• Togetherness
• Active citizenship
• Appreciation of cultural diversity

Neighbourhood festivals, local celebrations and community initiatives deserve trust and support, without unnecessary regulations. Newcomers to the Netherlands should receive help integrating through local initiatives and neighbourhood networks. Temporary residents such as expats should also be encouraged to participate actively in the community.

Administrative procedures must become simpler and shorter, with fewer forms and permits.

We support intergenerational living arrangements, where elderly residents and students live together and strengthen each other. The Knarrenhof concept is a promising example of this.

Volunteers should receive free Certificates of Conduct (VOGs).

The municipal, provincial and national flags should be flown at Town Hall.

4. BUILD FASTER, LIVE BETTER

For NSC, the housing shortage is a key priority. Our solutions include:

• Adding extra floors to buildings (top up)
• Splitting larger homes
• Granting permits for promising locations within six months
• Converting vacant offices, shops, warehouses and factories into housing

We support mixed housing developments:

• One third social housing
• One third mid-market rental housing
• One third owner-occupied housing

Temporary housing units should also be allowed.

Existing homes should be made more sustainable and better maintained, with support for housing associations.

We also want:

• Broader conversion permits
• More efficient use of the existing housing stock

To combat vacancy:

• Higher fees will apply to long-term vacant buildings
• After six months, a 25–50% surcharge will apply
• Owners who convert vacant buildings into homes within six months will receive a 30% fee discount.

The Haagse Pand Brigade (which checks vacant homes and buildings) will be strengthened.

5. A SECURE EXISTENCE

NSC wants to restore trust in government and reduce bureaucracy: less paperwork and more attention to people.

People receiving social assistance should automatically gain access to all municipal support schemes, without needing to fill out forms.

The municipality should have the possibility to take over debts in certain cases.

The Hague Social Fund will be strengthened to provide more loans to residents in difficult situations.

Mutual aid — such as gifts, grocery help or other support — should not lead to reductions in social benefits.

Residents on welfare should have access to affordable insurance for household contents, vehicles, motorcycles and pets.

Municipal officials should conduct home visits when necessary.

Homeless people should be able to receive official correspondence through a digital postal address (email).

Attention must also be given to depression and exhaustion among young people and their parents, including those affected by the childcare benefits scandal.

6. WORK PAYS AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES

Work is more than income. It provides self-respect and prospects for the future.

The city should promote tailor-made employment opportunities and cooperation between:

• Educational institutions
• Employers
• Employment agencies

People who have recently entered social assistance should be activated as quickly as possible to re-enter the labour market.

7. CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE OF THE CITY

Every child deserves good, accessible and appropriate education. Each school should have an emergency fund to pay for essentials such as:

• School supplies
• Clothing
• Bicycles

Home-sitting children (thuiszitters) — currently several thousand in The Hague — must be actively approached and guided back into education. The principle should be: one family, one plan.

Policies on poverty, youth care, WMO, employment and income should be coordinated and integrated.

8. THE HAGUE AS WOON- EN WERKSTAD

Economic growth in The Hague is slowing. The causes include:

• A tight labour market
• Low labour participation
• A mismatch between jobs and the available workforce

Stronger cooperation between business and education sectors is necessary to invest in the right talents and skills.

Regional cooperation is needed to create and maintain space for businesses, through efficient land use and redevelopment.

Strategic goals for 2030 include:

• An attractive city with a strong economic structure
• Growth opportunities for entrepreneurs
• Sufficient space for both housing and business
• Expansion of hotel capacity

At the same time, the municipality must combat illegal labour, exploitation and unfair competition, while stimulating innovation and digitalisation. We also want:

• Space for an inventor and innovation hub
• Better connection to the international rail network

The Hague must also strengthen its role as a student city, with a dedicated point of contact for students.

9. ENSURE GOOD HEALTH OF THE POPULATION

Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of society. Residents often get lost in bureaucracy and do not feel heard. What is needed:

• A well-functioning first line of care
• An accessible WMO desk
• Strong contact with general practitioners
• Fewer forms and administrative burdens

NSC wants:

• Better training for healthcare professionals
• Clear communication
• Stronger cooperation between healthcare institutions

Healthcare must be people-centred, with enough staff and less market pressure.

People should remain in control of their lives and independent for as long as possible.

Affordable care and fair personal contributions are essential.

If treatment costs exceed what someone can afford, a municipal support fund should help. As seen in the Dental Care Act.

We also support the Healthy and Active Living Agreement (GALA) to strengthen preventive health policy and investment in:

• Primary care
• Acute care
• Public health services such as GGD and GGZ

10. CULTURE BACK IN THE CITY OF THE HAGUE: CITY OF PEACE AND JUSTICE

Social cohesion in the city cannot be taken for granted and must be actively strengthened.

Culture plays a crucial role and must receive sufficient space and attention.

Increasing individualisation and anonymity in big-city life should not become the norm.

Several cultural institutions form the permanent cultural infrastructure of The Hague and deserve stability.

NSC wants to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in cultural policy.

Where organisations repeatedly demonstrate good performance, subsidies should be extended more easily.

Cultural funds should have more space for innovation and one-off projects.

Private initiatives that clearly contribute to the well-being and economy of the city should also receive room to develop.

Expats and migrants are part of our society and should be actively involved in cultural life.

There must also be strong support for:

• Local cultural initiatives
• Amateur arts
• Libraries

The Hague has lost several important cultural institutions and events in recent years — this trend must be reversed.

Finally, Scheveningen, as an important district of The Hague, deserves greater attention, particularly regarding developments around the boulevard.

Text: NSC Den Haag

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