Housing Grants

Grants have been available since 1 March 1996 for the renovation of existing houses. The Green Investment Scheme (low interest loans for environmentally desirable projects) had a budget of Gld 12.5 million in 1996 and Gld 15 million in 1997; the Vamil Scheme (free depreciation on environmental investments) had a budget of Gld 30 million in both 1996 and in 1997. The VROM (Ministry of Health and Land Planning) budgets contain insulation subsidy schemes for housing. The temporary incentive Subsidy Scheme for Sustainable Construction has budgeted Gld 125 million for the period 1996-1998. About 70% of this budget is expected to be spent on energy saving measures.