Aging in Place and the Role of Accessibility in Dutch Housing Policy

Abstract

The demographic aging of Dutch society has placed increasing emphasis on the concept of aging in place as a cornerstone of housing and care policy. This paper critically examines the intersection between aging in place and the accessibility of the built environment within the context of Dutch housing policy. Drawing on recent empirical studies, policy frameworks, and demographic data, the analysis explores the material, institutional, and social dimensions that enable or hinder older adults from remaining safely and independently in their homes and communities. The research identifies a significant mismatch between policy ambitions and the realities of the existing housing stock, which remains largely inaccessible to individuals with mobility or sensory limitations. It also highlights the fragmented implementation of accessibility standards, the insufficient rate of construction of adapted dwellings, and the unequal distribution of resources across municipalities. Neighborhood-level accessibility, social infrastructure, and cultural inclusivity emerge as critical but under-addressed factors in sustaining aging in place. Participation of older adults in design and planning processes is recognized as an emerging strength, although inconsistently practiced. The paper concludes that while aging in place is institutionally prioritized in the Netherlands, its realization depends on systemic reform that embeds accessibility as a normative and structural principle in housing development, urban planning, and social governance.