From July 1, 2023, the sharing of living space in Utrecht will be simplified. The college has decided that a living space may be shared by up to three people without a permit. Currently, a permit is required as of 3 persons. This measure is part of the housing ordinance, which has been sent to the city council for approval. The proposal is in line with the college's ambition to make better use of existing housing and is also included in the coalition agreement.

"We are fully committed to alleviating the housing shortage by adding more housing," said Alderman Dennis de Vries (housing). "We do this on the one hand by building new housing and on the other hand by making the best use of existing housing. This measure perfectly illustrates this commitment."

A more comprehensive revision of the housing ordinance will be implemented later this year, effective Jan. 1, 2024. This adjustment is partly due to new legislation. The housing ordinance is an important tool for the City of Utrecht to gain more control over the protection and utilization of the existing housing stock. Seeking to shift the housing market to public housing, with the government playing a greater role, is one of this college's main focuses.