The Dutch housing market has become increasingly inaccessible for first-time buyers due to rising prices, stricter mortgage regulations, and the burden of student debt. Since 2015, these structural constraints have intensified, limiting access to affordable housing and forcing young adults to either compromise on quality and location or postpone homeownership altogether.
This thesis investigates the position of first-time buyers within the housing market, analysing how financial constraints, life-course developments, and housing preferences intersect in shaping their residential choices. Akey focus is the potential of transforming vacant buildings, such as offices and schools, into affordable housing. Adaptive reuse is explored as an alternative to new construction to increase supply within existing spatial and infrastructural frameworks. Using a multi-method qualitative approach, combining literature review, urbanisation-level based case studies, and interviews with first-time buyers, this research examines whether building transformations can respond to the needs of this target group. The analysis is structured thematically around life-course experiences, affordability, housing and location preferences, and attitudes towards transformation.

The findings reveal a complex interplay between aspirations and constraints. While transformation projects offer promise, they are often hindered by financial, regulatory, and technical barriers. Moreover, urbanisation-level variation in demand and policy context requires differentiated strategies. The study concludes with action proposals tailored to urban, semi-urban, and rural contexts. These recommendations were validated through an expert panel, which confirmed their practical relevance and highlighted key interventions to bridge the gap between supply and demand.
By focusing on the perspective of first-time buyers, this thesis contributes to a more inclusive approach to housing development in the Netherlands, positioning transformation as a viable strategy in the broader search for housing accessibility.