As an employer with international employees, you are faced with the challenge of creating reliable housing for your people. We understand the complexity of this situation. How do you provide fast, high-quality housing? How do you prevent the line between living and working becoming blurred? And how do you minimise your employees’ travel time?
Housing for your people
We offer flexible, innovative housing solutions and service that perfectly suit the needs of your employees.
Reliable, hassle-free housing
We take full responsibilty for organising all aspects of housing for international employees and will arrange everything. From location and permits to construction, service and resident management. Let’s be honest: a house in which employees really feel at home is essential for their contentment and performance.
At KaFra, we deliver a complete solution that is not only realised quickly, but also meets the highest quality standards. For example, our accommodation meets the SNF standard (Flexible Housing Standards Foundation) and we build 'Roemer-Proof'. From planning to delivery and management, we provide a living environment that meets your demands as the employer and those of the employee. This means you and your employees can focus fully on what is really important.
How we work
Who are these homes for?
Our housing concepts are intended for people who need temporary housing. For example, the hard-working international employees who deliver our packages and supply supermarkets, refugees who are looking for a safe home and other urgent house hunters.
What they want most is easy access to facilities and/or close proximity to work, which is why flexible housing suits them well. What’s more, we can keep permanent houses in residential areas available to starters and the elderly.
We arrange everything
We take full responsibility for creating housing for your employees. We understand that it is a complex process and that each stage requires care and attention. Thanks to our many years of experience, we can guarantee a smooth execution, from development to management.
Your needs are key
We decide on the location together, what is most suitable and what your employees need. Our flexible living concepts can be fully tailored to the requirements of your organisation and the wishes of your employees. We always start with an open dialogue, with you and with the local neighbourhood, so that we can address any concerns or questions from residents. This is how we create a solution that works for everyone.
Fast and efficient
As soon as the permit is approved, we waste no time getting started. Thanks to our broad network of reliable partners, we can complete the project within a short timeframe – usually within nine months. During the construction phase, we maintain close contact with you and local stakeholders, so that everything goes according to plan and any concerns can be addressed promptly.
Management with care
What makes KaFra extra special is our post-delivery management. Our Welfare Officers remain present on location and act as a point of contact for both your employees and the local residents. They ensure compliance with the house rules, provide support and take care of the maintenance of the location. This guarantees a safe and pleasant living environment for your employees, leaving you free to focus on the growth of your company.
Which concepts can we realise?
At KaFra Housing we have developed three housing concepts that can be realised within six to nine months: KaFra Tower, Flex Accommodation and Flex Housing. In addition, we give disused real estate like office buildings, shops and holiday parks a new lease of life as housing locations by means of Transformation.
The Flex Accommodation and the KaFra Tower are modular residential complexes consisting of studios and apartments. They are constructed out of separate, prefabricated components (modules) that are assembled on site. These concepts are suitable for locations where space is limited - in particular the KaFra Tower that can be erected on just 2500m2. For example, on (the outskirts of) industrial areas and built-up areas.
Flex homes are more luxurious versions of mobile homes. These homes are suitable for locations where there is more space, so that several of them can be placed and we can provide them with additional facilities. Transformation means we convert an empty building into a housing location. These include disused offices, hotels, holiday parks, etc.
The answer to (most) of your questions
Is your question not listed here or can we help you with something else? Feel free to get in touch.
Categories
General
Projects in the neighbourhood
Project development
Service & Management
Housing concepts
Why is housing for international employees necessary?
In many sectors, like logistics, construction and manufacturing, there is a shortage of workers. International employees are essential for the continuity of companies and the economy. In line with our motto 'everyone deserves a home', good housing close by means that they can live in safe, comfortable and suitable conditions, which also contributes to a better work-life balance and to reducing traffic congestion.
What does KaFra Housing do to prevent nuisance in the neighbourhood?
We take several measurements to minimize nuisance:
- Welfare Officers are present 24/7 as a point of contact for residents and local residents.
- There are clear codes of conduct for residents and compliance with these is monitored.
- Locations are actively managed and monitored.
- Local residents can participate in sounding board groups to keep the dialogue open and share suggestions.
How does KaFra guarantee the quality and safety of the housing concepts?
All locations comply with Dutch and European laws and regulations. The housing is certified according to the SNF standard (Flexible Housing Standards Foundation) and since 2020, meets the recommendations of the Roemer Committee, ensuring a good quality of life for residents.
We guarantee safety by means of external checks, such as a periodic inspection, and internal inspections.
We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable living environment:
We are dedicated to provide a safe and pleasurable living environment:
- Studios are modern, spacious and fully equipped with their own facilities.
- Welfare Officers support residents in their own language and help with integration and questions about healthcare, work or housing.
- We collaborate with organisations like Healthcare4Internationals to facilitate access to healthcare.
What happens to residents who lose their jobs?
We work with employment agencies that comply with the ABU Collective Labour Agreement. They are obliged to provide accommodation for at least 4 weeks after the work contract is completed. In addition, we always provide careful guidance, like arranging the return to the country of origin or short-term replacement housing.
How are rent prices determined?
The rents are determined according to the Price Quality System (PKS) that is included in the ABU CLA. This guarantees transparency and fair rents, which always include gas, water, electricity and Wi-Fi.
Do local residents have a say on new housing sites?
Yes. KaFra Housing always organises information sessions and sets up sounding board groups. Local residents, especially at sounding board group sessions, can ask questions, give suggestions and contribute ideas on aspects such as building design, green spaces and parking solutions.
What does such housing contribute to the local community?
Benefits for the local community include:
- Less traffic because employees live close to their work.
- The continued availability of regular housing for first-time buyers and families because it is less likely to be bought up and ‘boarded up’ when flexible housing is available nearby.
- A positive contribution to the local economy, as residents, for example, shop and use local facilities.
How can complaints or concerns be reported?
To this end, we have a clear complaints procedure:
- Residents and local residents can contact the on-site Welfare Officer 24/7.
- Complaints can be reported via klachten@kafrahousing.com or the central telephone number.
- All complaints are recorded and discussed in focus groups so that improvements can be made.
Why does temporary accommodation suit international employees, for example?
Many international employees only stay in the Netherlands for a few months to carry out temporary work. Temporary housing suits their needs perfectly. After their work period ends, they often return to their country of origin or move to another location for a new job.
What is the difference between temporary and regular housing?
Temporary housing offers flexible, high-quality solutions that meet the needs of short stays. Regular homes are intended for permanent residence and families. By realising temporary housing, regular housing remains available for local residents.
How does KaFra Housing deal with the environment in its projects?
Environmental considerations play a role at every site. For example, the environment is taken into account during development in terms of choice of materials, sites are well insulated and, where possible, gas-free and equipped with solar panels.
What is the average lead time from planning to realisation of a site?
We realise new sites on average within nine months after the permit has been issued. Our new-build concepts (Flex Housing, Flex Accommodation and KaFra Tower) can usually be realised as quickly or even faster. With the Transformation concept, the completion time depends on the type of property we transform.
How are local residents informed about planned construction projects?
Initially, local residents will be invited to an information meeting where they will be informed about the plans for a new location. During this meeting, the sounding board group will also be set up for local residents to sign up. The sounding board group will meet several times during the development and possible realisation to help think about the location. After completion, the group will meet periodically.
In what way can local residents make their concerns or objections known?
Objections from local residents can be expressed to the municipality before the permit is issued. The exact procedure depends on the procedure of the municipality in question.
If the permit is already in place, objections and concerns can be made known during the sounding board group. In the past, adjustments to the green areas, lighting and car park have been made in this way, for example.
In addition, we are always ready to deal with questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact us.
Are facilities at locations also accessible to the neighbourhood?
Partly. Sports and play facilities are generally only open to residents. But venues equipped with large communal areas can be made available for community activities by agreement. Please contact the specific location for this.
How is the management and maintenance of the locations arranged?
Trained Welfare Officers are present on site 24/7 after delivery. They are responsible for the wellbeing of the residents and local residents and they also take care of minor maintenance and management of the location. For example, upkeep of facilities and green areas, a weekly clean in and around the location and periodic inspection of the location.
How can local residents be kept informed of the project's progress?
Local residents are best kept informed through (representatives of) the sounding board group. And we are always ready to answer questions about the progress of locations by phone or e-mail - check out our contact page.
What housing concepts does KaFra Housing develop?
We are currently developing four innovative and flexible housing concepts. In terms of new buildings, these are the KaFra Tower, Flex Acoommodation and Flex Housing. The fourth concept concerns the transformation of (unoccupied) property.
What experience does KaFra have in transforming existing properties?
Broad experience is available when it comes to transforming existing real estate. For instance, we converted tiny houses in Gouda, a former hotel in Best and a former office building in Almere into accommodation. And in Etten-Leur, we combined the transformation of an office building with a piece of new construction from us..
How is the location managed?
Our Welfare Officers are on site 24/7 to be there for both our residents and the surrounding area.
Welfare Officers speak the residents' language and make sure they have a pleasant stay. They are also the first point of contact for the surrounding area, who can contact them at any time for questions, comments and complaints. Finally, they are responsible for the maintenance of the location.
How long will these homes remain?
Our preference is for at least fifteen years, but it depends on the permit that has been granted. This permit usually expires after ten to fifteen years.