What really annoys me is the local resident model, because I think there could be fairer options. After all, unlimited mobility is expected from us young people nowadays. That should not be punished. Why do local residents actually have a right to a subsidized plot of land?
I don’t want to claim that it’s perfect, especially since every municipality handles it differently. In our area, there actually was a points system where points were awarded for local residency but also for number of children, workplace, club membership, parents’ place of residence, and so on.
Local residents don’t have any right at all... otherwise every local resident could say "I want one of those"... but they are preferentially considered during allocation. Why is that? We’ve touched on it here several times already, but here are a few more points:
A municipality is, on the one hand, the body that represents the interests of its members (or at least should). Basically, it should be in the interest of the municipality to act sustainably and with a future orientation. That means ensuring that the municipality continues to exist in the long term and provides its members with a good living and working environment.
Therefore, a municipality must take into account both the interests of the settled economy as well as those of the (private) residents. If a municipality wants to remain viable in the long term, it must maintain a balance.
For example, aging of the municipality must be avoided (we all know about dying villages, and the age structure "Christmas tree" which nowadays looks more like a kebab). Smart municipalities take action for this, such as expanding daycares, and giving stronger consideration to families when allocating building plots.
In the same way, homogeneity should be considered, which is why smart municipalities will ensure there are forward-looking concepts like multigenerational houses and so on.
It would also be very wise not to force the children and grandchildren of older residents to move away, which later on causes organizational problems with care needs, but rather to try to enable children and grandchildren to continue living in the municipality.
I don’t want to question your potential engagement in clubs in the new hometown, but in the majority of cases, participation in clubs is usually higher among locals than among newcomers. Exceptions prove the rule.
I could go on giving more reasons here.
Again, I’m not claiming that exclusive consideration of locals is right. But in my opinion, preferential consideration is quite understandable from the municipality’s point of view.
I don’t deny that it’s not always fair, but there will never be a perfect solution.
And again... you have options, you yourself said so... you’re just not willing to pay €300/sqm... well, then buy a condominium, a semi-detached house, or something else. There are options. But don’t say you have no options.