Heimstaden : Joins Steenbreek Initiative for Increased Biodiversity in the Netherlands

Heimstaden Netherlands is the first commercial residential real estate company to join the sustainability initiative 'Steenbreek'. The main goal of the collaboration is to increase biodiversity in the locations in which Heimstaden operates, by working together with customers to add more greenery to both family homes' gardens as well as communal apartment building gardens.

Steenbreek is a non-profit organization committed to creating greener living environments. The foundation works together with governments, social housing corporations, educational institutions, and local organizations with a social commitment to society. Steenbreek brings these parties together to facilitate knowledge sharing and to promote cooperation to reach mutual sustainability goals.

Biodiversity Needs

By joining the Steenbreek network, Heimstaden gains better insights into local biodiversity needs in various regions, municipalities, and neighbourhoods. In addition, the organization gains access to a network of experts who can provide both Heimstaden and its customers with knowledge needed to create maintenance-friendly and green gardens.

'A green and sustainable living environment is an important part of our promise to enrich our customers' lives through Friendly Homes,' says Eva Bienias, Sustainability Manager in Heimstaden Netherlands, and continues:

'A lot of local governments are already doing great work in increasing biodiversity in the public domain. Together with our customers we can reinforce these efforts, by adding more greenery to the private domain as well. A green living environment is a shared responsibility for all of us.'

Social Employment Contracts

Heimstaden will shortly launch its first pilot project with Steenbreek to collaborate with customers on a shared complex garden. Going forward, Heimstaden also aims to create maintenance-friendly green gardens for family homes when they become vacant. To do so, the company wants to work together with landscaping companies in the Steenbreek network that offer social employment contracts.