Dear members,
As you have undoubtedly heard, DUWO proposed last June to change the current “hospiteren” system (the housemate selection process) as it currently applies in Delft. They aim to develop a new system based on principles of transparency, equal opportunity, and the importance of social cohesion. The exact form of this new system has not yet been determined. DUWO however emphasizes that the final choice of new housemates will remain with the tenants. To shape this new system, DUWO intends to engage with various interest groups to reach a policy that is broadly supported. This will be acquired by having multi-stakeholder meetings, where the interest groups will come together to discuss the various values and interests and interpretations of the new planned policy.
What has happened so far?
Due to the commotion surrounding the proposal to change the selection policy, DUWO has established a working group consisting of WijWonen, ORAS, VeRa, and Lieve Mark. Several meetings have taken place between this working group and DUWO recently to discuss the upcoming process. We also discussed the framework for the multi-stakeholder meetings, the preliminary of which has now taken place. Additionally, WijWonen has been in frequent contact with tenant organizations in other cities where DUWO operates to stay informed and discuss the broader sentiment in those cities.
At the preliminary multi-stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, December 16th, only student organizations were present to express the values and interests of students in Delft. This was a constructive meeting where DUWO was informed about what it means to be a student in Delft and the role one’s house plays in that. For us, this was the key moment to gather these values and interests and use them for our discussions with DUWO once the exploratory phase is complete.
What happens next?
In January and February, the first and second multi-stakeholder meetings will take place. In addition to the student parties, other stakeholder organizations (such as TU Delft and the Municipality of Delft) will also be present. Here too, we will listen closely to the opinions shared and include them in the subsequent discussions.
After the multi-stakeholder meetings are concluded, DUWO will begin working on the new policy. We will remain actively involved in this process to guide DUWO toward a policy that aligns with your interests. We base your interests on the opinions shared during the multi-stakeholder meetings, your letters, our own surveys, and the surveys conducted by Lieve Mark. Once the policy-making process is complete, DUWO will request official advice. We will then, in collaboration with the other tenant organizations and with the same collected interests in mind, write a positive or negative recommendation.
We understand that changes to the resident vote-in policy raise concerns for many students, including worries about the loss of house culture and identity, freedom of choice, and transparency. In all these discussions, WijWonen’s starting point is to develop a more transparent system for every student, while safeguarding the identity and freedom of choice of the houses.
If you have any questions following this letter or in general, you can always reach us at info@wijwonendelft.nl or contact me personally at voorzitter@wijwonendelft.nl.
Kind regards,
On behalf of the entire board of Tenants’ Organization WijWonen Delft,
David Rodenburg
