The provision of sufficient adequate and affordable housing for different target groups is a core element of sustainable urban development in itself. It is also closely linked to several others like health, education, mobility, social integration and resource efficiency. During more than ten years I helped social housing providers to deliver their sustainable urban development goals mainly by strengthening the regulatory environment and financial conditions for social housing and by working closely with authorities and tenant organizations. As Manager European Affairs for the Dutch social housing federation in Brussels, I also monitored the interaction between European regulations and social housing and connected to decision-makers to inform them about possible beneficial or harmful consequences of new policies. This helped to enhance the possibilities for social housing organizations to invest in new affordable and adequate dwellings for different target groups; improve the energy performance of buildings, perform urban (re)development, work on social cohesion; and keep neighbourhoods safe and clean together with their residents. As consultant at AxHA I provide support and advice to different clients: cities, housing providers, associtations, NGO’s, financial institutions, research institutes in the field of affordable and adequate housing by focusing on institutional development, governance, capacity building, research, finance, policy-making.

I have a long experience in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience between organizations from different countries. First, by working for the Dutch embassy in Argentina and later by organizing and receiving visits for delegations from different trade associations and countries, by setting up thematic working groups among housing providers; by organizing study visits; by coordinating the drafting of practical sectoral guides, including best practices; and by animating and moderating online exchange fora on specific themes related to housing delivery. For instance, I was actively involved in the organization of the first International Social Housing Festival that drew thousands of professionals to the many events spread throughout Amsterdam during nine days; I chaired the group that developed the UNPRI Impact Investment Market Map for Affordable Housing. I am also lecturer for the course on Social Housing Development Projects at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies at the Erasmus University (Rotterdam, NL) which is held every year for international professionals from all continents.