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Dampoort KnapT OP!

In the Dampoort KnapT OP! project the OCMW set up a rolling fund to ensure vulnerable families can also carry out the necessary energy renovation work.

Dampoort KnapT OP! is an initiative by OCMW Ghent and the City of Ghent, which aims to offer so-called ‘noodkopers’ (people forced to buy substandard property at inflated prices) the opportunity to renovate their homes. Some people on a low income go to the extreme to buy a property, even if the house is in a terrible state with few basic comforts. Many of them lack the means to carry out comprehensive renovation work or even the necessary repairs. As a result their energy bills and other costs are sky-high.

Dampoort KnapT OP! set up a rolling fund to help residents through sustainable financial solutions and intensive guidance. It means that the OCMW and the City of Ghent invest money with no repayment term, and the invested amount is repaid to the fund when the property is sold or in the event of the death of those concerned. As a result the authorities can support other people in the same position. It helps combat social exclusion. In this project ten homes were renovated in a single block, with the aim of substantially increasing the energy performance and living standard of each home. Each family involved receives an allowance of 30,000 euros. The project also focuses on developing a concept that achieves affordable renovation work for ‘noodkopers’ that can be applied in other districts, linked to the development of a financial model and a legal framework. As a follow-up to this project the City of Ghent aims to renovate a hundred homes to make them healthier, safer, more energy efficient and life cycle-proof.

partners and actors
City of Ghent, OCMW Public Centre for Social Welfare Ghent, CLT Ghent vzw, consortium including Samenlevingsopbouw, the local poverty association SIVI, and renovation supervisor Domus Mundi
theme
energy
innovative aspects
financing, solidarity
scale
building


Before and after the renovation, Gent
Before and after the renovation, Gent
© Fred Debrock, Gent
Renovating without any savings
articleRenovating without any savings
With the help of Dampoort knapT OP! families in low income groups can also renovate and insulate their homes. This is achieved with the help of a rolling fund and intensive support.


Renovating without any savings


photo: De Standaard, 2017

Dampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie
videoDampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie
Welfare organisations such as Samenlevingsopbouw, SIVI vzw, CLT Gent vzw and Domus Mundi are involved in the renovation project. They are responsible for intensive social, financial and technical support during the process, such as reviewing financial resources, applying for grants, obtaining permits, appointing contractors and monitoring the work and delivery.


Dampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie

Welfare organisations such as Samenlevingsopbouw, SIVI vzw, CLT Gent vzw and Domus Mundi are involved in the renovation project. They are responsible for intensive social, financial and technical support during the process, such as reviewing financial resources, applying for grants, obtaining permits, appointing contractors and monitoring the work and delivery.



photo: AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie, Gent 2016

Dampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie
videoDampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie
The lack of own resources serves as the starting point of the renovation policy. ‘Noodkopers’, buyers forced to purchase an inferior quality house and who cannot pre-finance possible renovation works are supported socially, financially and technically.


Dampoort KnapT OP AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie

The lack of own resources serves as the starting point of the renovation policy. ‘Noodkopers’, buyers forced to purchase an inferior quality house and who cannot pre-finance possible renovation works are supported socially, financially and technically.



photo: AVS Oost Vlaamse Televisie, Gent 2016

Sustainable urban renewal. Target group-based use and reuse of renovation subsidies
fileSustainable urban renewal. Target group-based use and reuse of renovation subsidies
Low housing quality and energy poverty go hand in hand. However, current measures such as renovation grants do not often reach the people who need them most. In order to make the transition to an inclusive district renovation, Dampoort KnapT OP! focuses on improving the housing situation of the more vulnerable neighbourhood residents.

download / view PDF:
Sustainable urban renewal. Target group-based use and reuse of renovation subsidies



An emergency buyer (noodkoper) is no gambler
articleAn emergency buyer (noodkoper) is no gambler
The money from the renovation is paid back when the house is sold. Through this system of subsidy retention, families from low income groups still benefit from the subsidy funding (which is often only available to the middle class).


An emergency buyer (noodkoper) is no gambler


photo: De Standaard, 2017

District renovation with emergency buyers
fileDistrict renovation with emergency buyers
The project is a cooperation between the residents, the counsellors and between various services. Alignment takes place of the combination of needs and opportunities related to financing, housing quality and socio-technical feasibility.

download / view PDF:
District renovation with emergency buyers



2030 IS NU 'The heat escapes here through holes and cracks'
article2030 IS NU 'The heat escapes here through holes and cracks'
There is a clear link between the socio-economic profile of residents and the quality of the houses and flats in which they live. Gent KnapT OP! (the follow-up project to Dampoort KnapT OP!) continues to focus on district renovation of the most vulnerable houses.


2030 IS NU 'The heat escapes here through holes and cracks'


photo: Jef Poppelmonde. De Standaard, 2021

Result of roof renovation
imageResult of roof renovation
The renovation works will reduce safety and health risks in substandard housing and will significantly improve both the living quality and energy performance of the houses.


Result of roof renovation


photo: Gent

'Dampoort KnapT OP!' Renovation project restarts
article'Dampoort KnapT OP!' Renovation project restarts
After Dampoort KnapT OP!, a follow-up project began in which another 30,000 euros was invested to support nine families for the energy renovation of their houses together with the City of Ghent and OCMW Ghent.


'Dampoort KnapT OP!' Renovation project restarts


photo: Gent Persruimte, 2018