Member of the Board of Supervisors

About Dudok Wonen

Dudok Wonen has been in existence for over 100 years and has achieved a great deal during that time. Currently, we help approximately 700 households find a rental or owner-occupied home each year. In total, we house nearly 8,000 households, 78% of whom live in affordable rental housing and 22% under a social home-ownership program. In addition, we maintain and renovate more than 9,000 homes, garages, care centers, schools, and offices. The properties of our legal predecessors are primarily located in Hilversum, Naarden, and Bussum. Since 2019, we have also included Almere in our service area. We also serve a number of residents in Huizen, Blaricum, and Baarn. With our sustainable business model, we have a strong organization with dedicated employees and a sound financial foundation. This enables us to continue investing in housing solutions for people in need well into the future.

Who are we here for?

We are here for people with low and moderate incomes who are looking for suitable housing in our region. Naturally, we focus on our current residents and those seeking housing, but we also want to be there for future generations. For them, we are a reliable service provider that ensures clean, well-maintained, safe, and sustainable housing where people can live comfortably. Dudok Wonen operates based on a positive view of humanity that draws on people’s own strengths. This principle is so important to us that it is enshrined in our mission and statutory objectives. This means that we prefer to empower residents to shape their own lives as they see fit, to develop to the best of their ability, and to find the best path forward.

Our tasks

For several years now, public housing has been back at the top of the agenda, and rightly so. The severe housing shortage makes it nearly impossible for many households to find suitable housing. We also see that our homes are not always sustainable or future-proof. When we build and renovate homes, we must do so with the future user in mind, in a more energy-conscious way, using fewer fossil-based materials, and within a living environment that adapts to the changing climate. While construction and sustainability address two housing challenges, perhaps the most fundamental task before us is to preserve and strengthen an inclusive society. Inclusivity is about a society in which everyone—regardless of income, background, talents, or limitations—participates and feels that they matter. This requires commitment in the areas of education, work, and much more, but certainly also in the area of housing. There must be a realistic chance for everyone to find suitable housing in neighborhoods where it is pleasant to live.

The Tenants' Association

The Dudok Wonen Tenants’ Association (HBV Dudok Wonen) is an independent advocacy group representing all tenants of the Dudok Wonen housing association. In this capacity, the board of HBV Dudok Wonen serves as the point of contact for the Dudok Wonen management team. In addition, the 2015 Housing Act stipulates that tenants must have a greater say in and be involved in consultations between municipalities and housing associations, particularly regarding so-called performance agreements. Three parties sit down together to discuss these performance agreements: the municipality, the housing associations, and the tenants’ interest associations. The HBV therefore participates in discussions about the activities that Dudok Wonen, other housing associations, and the municipality will carry out in the coming year. By participating in these discussions and deciding whether or not to agree, the HBV safeguards tenants’ interests and can bring these interests to the forefront.

The Board of Directors

The Supervisory Board of Dudok Wonen is responsible for overseeing the management board’s policies and the general affairs of the housing association. It acts as a “sparring partner” to the management board, providing advice both when requested and on its own initiative, and serves as the management board’s employer. The Supervisory Board of Dudok Wonen also has a number of specific responsibilities, including approving the budget and adopting the annual financial statements. The Supervisory Board of Dudok Wonen consists of five members and functions as an independent, critical, and innovative team. The Supervisory Board adheres to the Housing Association Governance Code.

There is currently a vacancy on the Supervisory Board of Dudok Wonen. This vacancy concerns one of the two seats filled upon the recommendation of the Dudok Wonen Tenants’ Association (also referred to as the “tenants’ representative”).

Who are we looking for?

General

The Supervisory Board of Dudok Wonen has established a general profile for its members. You can find this profile via this link. In addition, the Housing Association Authority has issued guidelines regarding the desired competencies that must be met to qualify for membership on the Supervisory Board. These guidelines are included in the appendix.

Our new tenant representative

For the position of the new tenant representative, we are seeking a member who shares our tenants’ interests, can act as a unifying force, and feels at home in the region. Our new commissioner must demonstrate a commitment to social issues, possess practical work experience in the social sector, and be capable of making strategic connections between the themes of public housing in general and our vision for an inclusive neighborhood and society in particular.

Content:

• A clear vision for engaging stakeholders in general and tenants (participation) in particular;
• Actively and demonstrably engaged in social developments in a broad sense and in the inclusive society in particular;
• An interest in and/or experience with public housing;
• Insight into governance issues and the role of a supervisory board;
• Experience in dealing with various stakeholders.

Attitude:

• Aware of the social importance of housing associations and willing to be held accountable for it;
• A clear affinity with tenants and a willingness to maintain informal contact with them and with the HBV;
• A team player (as a member of a collaborative Supervisory Board);
• As a person, I am approachable, open, and honest.

Skills:

• Engaging at the appropriate level and bringing clarity to discussions;
• Constructively critical and independent in strategic decision-making processes;
• Innovative, or the ability to think differently;
• Being able to bridge the gap between different interests;
• Experience at the executive/management level; preference: experience as a supervisor;
• Academic level of work and thinking.

Team:

• Contribute to diversity on the Board of Supervisors;
• In addition, with regard to the current team roles within the Supervisory Board;
• Familiarity with—and preferably residing in—the work area (Gooi & Vecht region).

Given the extensive governance experience within the Supervisory Board, there is room for a new member who does not yet have supervisory experience. However, the candidate must be willing to further develop their skills in the governance role through specific training courses.

Response and procedure

We are being assisted in this process by Colourful People. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. A.D.J. (Rick) Verhoeven, a partner at Colourful People. His mobile number is 06-26706757. You may express your interest in this position by submitting a cover letter and resume no later than September 24, 2022, via the “Apply” button on this page.

Rest assured that your information will be treated confidentially. Prior to notifying the Housing Associations Authority (Aw) of the proposed appointment, a comprehensive background and reference check will be conducted. For more information, please visit the Aw’s website: