Guest lectures Renewable Partners: Supporting the Fontys Real Estate Management program in sustainability projects for housing associations

At Renewable Partners, we are proud of our collaboration with the Real Estate Management program at Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven, where we support students in their practical sustainability projects for housing associations. Through inspiring and interactive guest lectures, we share our expertise in sustainability, energy label improvement, and WWS (Housing Valuation System) optimization. These lectures help students apply theoretical knowledge to realistic cases, prepare them for a career in real estate management, and contribute to sustainable solutions for the housing market. Below, you can read how Renewable Partners supports the program through guest lectures and what impact this has.

The context: Sustainability projects at Fontys Real Estate Management

The Real Estate Studies program at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, part of the Academy for Technology & Business, trains students to become professionals in real estate management, brokerage, and project development. An essential part of the curriculum consists of practical projects in which students collaborate with housing associations to make social housing more sustainable. These projects focus on improving energy labels, optimizing WWS points, utilizing subsidies, and increasing tenant comfort, while complying with the Affordable Rent Act (July 2024).

Students are challenged to develop sustainability plans that:

• Improve energy labels (e.g., from E/F to A/B) to reduce energy costs and meet sustainability goals.
• Increase WWS points within the social or mid-range rent limit (€900.07–€1,184.82 in 2025).
• Propose cost-effective measures that fit within the budgets of housing associations.
• Integrate subsidies such as ISDE (Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy) and SVOH (Subsidy for Making Rental Properties More Sustainable).
• Promoting CO2 reduction and tenant well-being without major renovations.

These projects require technical, financial, and legal knowledge, which poses a challenge for students. Renewable Partners supports them by offering guest lectures that combine practical experience and theory.

Our contribution: Guest lectures on sustainability and real estate management

Renewable Partners provides guest lectures for the Real Estate Management program, specifically focused on making rental properties more sustainable and optimizing WWS (Housing Benefit Act). Our lectures are interactive, practical, and tailored to the needs of students and housing associations. We offer the following content:

1. Introduction to sustainability in the real estate sector:
   • We discuss the urgency of sustainability, focusing on the national target of an average energy label B for social housing by 2030.
   • We share practical examples from our projects, such as making 40 homes for MVGM more sustainable to become private sector homes with energy label A, and social housing for Woonzorg in Utrecht.
   • Topics include technical measures such as PV panels (solar panels), facade insulation, hybrid heat pumps, and decentralized heat recovery ventilation.
2. WWS optimization and the Affordable Rent Act:
   • We explain how energy labels and qualitative improvements (e.g., luxury kitchens, bathroom upgrades) influence WWS points, with concrete examples such as reaching the liberalization threshold (187 points) for MVGM.
   • We discuss the impact of the Affordable Rent Act (July 2024), including mandatory WWS point scoring and the mid-range rent threshold, and how housing associations can remain compliant.
   • Students learn how to make accurate WWS calculations to maximize rents within legal frameworks.
3. Financial and sustainability aspects:
   • We discuss subsidies such as ISDE and SVOH, and how these make investments profitable. Examples from our cost-benefit analyses, such as an ROI of 18% for MVGM, illustrate the financial benefits.
   • We emphasize CO2 reduction, with cases such as the 140,000 kg CO2 savings in the MVGM portfolio, to inspire students about sustainability.
4. Practical assignments and interactive elements:
   • During the lectures, we give students assignments, such as drawing up a sustainability plan for a fictional housing association with 20 homes (energy label E). They analyze energy performance, select measures, and calculate WWS points.
   • We use case studies, such as our collaboration with Max Rentals in Rotterdam, to show students how we transform buildings with poor energy ratings into energy-efficient homes.
   • Q&A sessions and group discussions enable students to ask questions about technical, legal, or financial aspects.
5. Career inspiration and networking opportunities:
   • We share insights into career opportunities in real estate management, sustainability consulting, and project management, and how students can distinguish themselves in the sector.
   • We offer students the opportunity to contact us for internships, graduation projects, or further guidance at Renewable Partners.

Impact of our guest lectures

Our guest lectures have a significant impact on students, the Real Estate Studies program, and the broader real estate sector:

• Practical knowledge: Students learn how to apply theoretical concepts, such as energy label calculations and WWS regulations, in realistic sustainability projects. This prepares them for positions at housing associations, property managers, or consulting firms.
• Inspiration for sustainability: Our practical examples motivate students to integrate sustainability into their future work, which contributes to making the Dutch housing market more sustainable.
• Improved project results: Our guidance helps students develop high-quality sustainability plans that housing associations can use immediately. This strengthens the collaboration between Fontys and external partners.
• Networking opportunities: Students gain access to Renewable Partners' network, leading to internships, graduation projects, and career opportunities in the real estate sector.
• Social impact: By teaching students how to promote CO2 reduction and tenant comfort, we contribute to a more sustainable and affordable housing market.

Fontys University of Applied Sciences appreciates our contribution, which is in line with their practice-oriented educational model, as recognized in the Keuzegids HBO (HBO Selection Guide), where Fontys scores highly for programs such as Real Estate Studies.

For housing associations and real estate professionals

Our guest lectures demonstrate how Renewable Partners' expertise can be directly applied in practice. We assist housing associations not only through student projects, but also with direct sustainability advice, such as our collaboration with Woonzorg in Utrecht. Our approach, based on cost-efficient measures, subsidies, and WWS compliance, offers concrete solutions for social housing.

Please contact us

Would you like to learn more about how Renewable Partners can support your housing association in becoming more sustainable, as we share in our guest lectures at Fontys? Or would you like to collaborate to inspire students with practical knowledge? Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation or guest lecture request!