Vlieland school adds tiny houses to address teacher housing shortage

Two tiny houses were placed today on the grounds of De Jutter school to provide housing for teachers amid a severe housing shortage on Vlieland, Omrop Fryslân reports.

“We are placing two tiny houses here at the school because we often have problems finding living space for staff,” school director Cees Visser told Omrop Fryslân. “We believe this is a solution.”

While many schools in the Netherlands struggle to recruit teachers partly due to lack of affordable housing, Vlieland’s staffing is not the issue. The challenge lies in finding affordable accommodation on the island itself. The school wants teachers to live nearby during the workweek.

“A few years ago, it was a huge search to find housing,” Visser told Omrop Fryslân. “That was not only a lot of hassle but also expensive, having to rent different places or pay for daily ferry trips when teachers came from the mainland.”

The tiny houses include a shower, toilet, kitchen, and about 10 square meters of living space—deemed sufficient for short-term stays, according to the designer. The school expects the tiny houses to be a much cheaper option than renting.

Vlieland Mayor Michiel Schrier called the project a pilot for the municipality. “How will it go with tiny houses? Do the residents like it? Does it cause any nuisance?” he said. The houses have a temporary environmental permit valid for ten years.

Schrier noted the possibility of expanding the concept for other workers who prefer to stay on the island during the week rather than commute by ferry. “Filling the whole island with tiny houses is not desirable, but this can be a good solution for specific problems,” he told Omrop Fryslân.

Visser emphasized that the houses are not meant for permanent residence. “It’s fine if a teacher stays over a weekend sometimes, but basically it’s only for use during the workweek.”