Ortec Finance hosts client day on housing challenges

June 17, 2025

Affordability and financial resilience were at the heart of discussions during the Ortec Finance Dutch Housing Association Client Day 2025.

The event, held on 22 May at De Kas in Woerden—a venue known for its sustainability credentials—brought together a range of professionals from across the Dutch social housing sector, including CFOs and asset managers.

The focus was on equipping housing leaders with practical tools and forward-thinking strategies to manage rising risks, policy shifts, and long-term planning complexity. A range of sessions tackled current sector challenges such as rising living costs, investment uncertainty, and regulatory limitations.

One standout session introduced a practical framework for modelling housing affordability. Developed in partnership with ABF Research, the approach looked beyond rent alone, incorporating service charges, energy costs, and strategic scenarios into the WALS system to deliver a fuller picture of housing affordability.

Another key session examined the delicate balance between financial ambition and regulatory compliance. Ortec Finance and Accent Advies offered actionable strategies for housing providers to align their investment plans with risk tolerances.

Policy uncertainty also took centre stage. A session led by senior business specialist Maarten van ’t Hek explored the potential impact of the Dutch government’s proposed national rent freeze. Attendees were given a roadmap for staying “in control” despite shifting regulations, with an emphasis on the value of collaboration across the sector to maintain stability in planning and budgeting.

The event also championed practical innovation. A series of lightning talks spotlighted how FinTech and digital tools are being applied across the sector. Highlights included live demos on machine learning in financial modelling, climate risk analysis in housing portfolios, and the use of hackathons as a source of product development. There was also a focus on sustainability, including a session on reducing carbon emissions from cloud infrastructure.

Ortec Finance extended an open invitation to housing associations beyond the Netherlands, particularly those in the UK, to explore how solutions like WALS could support their strategic goals and improve financial planning.

Read the story here.