Bouwinvest launches Dutch Impact Mandate for bpfBOUW: mid-market rental homes and lower-carbon construction

The first line focuses on increasing the supply of affordable rental homes for middle-income households, a group that often does not qualify for social housing, yet also struggles to access owner-occupied homes. In this initial phase, this forms the core of the mandate. The second line targets innovative, more sustainable construction methods such as industrialised, circular and bio-based building, and will scale up as this market develops. The investments concern new-build development in Bouwinvest's core regions, where demand for affordable homes is greatest.

For investments in innovative construction methods, the mandate applies a measurable criterion for the CO₂ emissions of building materials. Based on the recently signed commitment with Stichting Building Balance, a threshold applies that declines further towards 2050 and that caps CO₂ impact already in the design and construction phase, the phase in which the majority of these emissions is determined. Bouwinvest reports periodically on the realised impact of the mandate, both on mid-market rental and on CO₂ reduction.

The Dutch housing market faces a structural and growing shortage of affordable homes, which Bouwinvest estimates at approximately 396,000 homes in its Market Outlook. That shortage hits middle-income households hardest. By adding new supply in the mid-market segment, the mandate contributes to the accessibility of, and mobility within, the housing market.

Maya Savelkoul, Fund Manager Impact Investments at Bouwinvest: "This mandate shows that we do not have to choose between return and impact. We manage for a stable return for bpfBOUW's participants while delivering measurable social impact: more mid-market rental homes, but also innovative construction with lower CO₂ emissions."

Eline Lundgren, Chair on behalf of employees at bpfBOUW: "Our participants work every day on homes, buildings and infrastructure in the Netherlands. It is therefore fitting that our investments also contribute to themes close to their world. With this mandate we invest in affordable rental homes and more sustainable construction methods, with an eye to a stable financial return and to the society in which our participants live and work."

Leon Ceelen, Chair on behalf of employers at bpfBOUW: "For bpfBOUW, impact investing is not an end in itself, but a way to connect our financial responsibility to themes that suit our participants and our sector. This mandate aligns well with that: it focuses on affordable rental homes, more sustainable construction and a stable long-term financial return."