Originally, the task of housing corporations was to build, lease and manage social housing. At present, housing corporations are also involved in the construction of private property and the improvement of the liveability of the neighbourhoods in which their homes are located. They provide housing for the elderly, disabled and those who require care or assistance ("housing and care") and stimulate the purchase of homes through the sale of rental property. In doing so, housing corporations also perform an important social task.

What is the relationship between the costs of housing and facility management for housing corporations as compared to one another and to the market?

The housing corporations gained improved insight into the costs of their housing and facilities management, and how these costs relate to those paid by other corporations and the market. The world behind the figures has now also become clearer. It is now possible to reduce actual costs. The benchmark made realistic potential for improvement visible to every individual participant.

Housing corporation Portaal took the initiative to create a facilities benchmark for housing corporations. As accredited adviser for the Netherlands Facility Costs Index (NFC), CFP was chosen because of its expertise in the housing and facility management sectors. Housing corporation Portaal played a pioneering role in this initiative, and also involved the facilities platform of the Aedes housing corporation association in the project. The problem facing the participating corporations was insufficient insight into their cost levels within the NEN 2748 norm. Additionally, they did not have a clear picture of this level in other corporations, and the relationship to the NFC. Within the context of this project, CFP requested all of the bookkeeping information which is relevant within the scope of the NEN 2748, and translated this to the NEN 2748 using a cross table. Ultimately, every housing corporation received an individual report indicating its personal opportunities to generate savings. With benchmarking, it is important to bear in mind that costs incurred are always a result of management choices relating to quality, level of service, and the design of processes. A benchmark makes costs transparent, which encourages corporations to think about these management choices. The benchmark also offers a tool for discussing integral facilities costs.