Foundation Problems Grant

More and more houses in the Netherlands are dealing with foundation problems, especially in peat meadow areas such as Leeuwarden. This is because of subsidence and declining groundwater levels. Many older houses (from before 1973) are built on wooden piles or a shallow foundation. If the piles become too dry, they may rot and damage the foundation. This damage will often not become visible until later, for example in the form of tears in walls, sinking floors, or doors and windows that don’t close properly.

Help is available for people dealing with foundation problems. As of June 2025, Friesland offers a special grant. This grant is intended for people who both own and live in a home in the peat meadow area. Owners’ associations can also receive a grant if the members live in their apartments themselves.

Conditions

• The building must have been built before 1973.
• A foundation investigation must prove that there is actual damage.
• The investigation must be carried out by a recognised agency.

You can use the grant for up to 40% of the costs of repair, up to a maximum of €40,000 per home. In certain cases, it may be necessary to build a new home. The grant will apply in that case as well.

If no foundation investigation has been carried out yet,

you may be eligible for a grant for the investigation. Up to 80% of the costs can be reimbursed, up to a maximum of €4,000. You can find more information about the grant and how to apply for it on the Funderingsherstelfonds (foundation repair fund) website.

Funderingsherstelfonds (the foundation repair fund) was established in July 2025. Its purpose is to help people with foundation problems who cannot got a bank loan, for example to deal with rotting piles or subsidence. You can receive a loan appropriate to your situation. You can use the loan to pay for repairs to your foundation and other damage to your house.

There will be a walk-in consultation in Hotel Restaurant Oostergoo in Grou on Thursday 6 November, from 11 am to 1 pm. You do not need to make an appointment.

If this date does not work for you,

you can also go to a walk-in consultation of one of the other local authorities.

Contact the City of Leeuwarden. You can find more information on the websites of Veenweidefryslan and Funderingsherstelfonds.