Why a climate damage desk now?

The Netherlands is experiencing a sharper swing between weather extremes: longer dry spells, hotter summers, and increasingly intense cloudbursts. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so when it does rain, storms can unleash heavy downpours that overwhelm drainage systems. The same warming trend also drives drought, lowering groundwater levels for extended periods. For homeowners, that combination translates into more frequent damp problems, flooding, and subsidence.

In Arnhem, these stressors are already visible. Prolonged dryness can cause clay and peat soils to shrink and settle, while sudden heavy rain brings water intrusion, mold, and structural moisture issues. The risk is especially pronounced for buildings with wooden pile foundations, which can deteriorate if the water table drops and oxygen reaches the timber. When the rains return, rapid rewetting can trigger additional shifting, compounding structural stress.

From foundation help to climate support

The new climate damage desk builds on Arnhem’s existing service for residents facing foundation problems. By broadening its remit, the city is creating a single point of contact for a wider array of climate impacts on homes—from damp walls and flooded basements to cracks and settlement linked to drought.

Arnhem has been recognized at the national level as a leading municipality in developing practical approaches to foundation challenges. The knowledge gathered locally will be shared to inform solutions in other regions facing similar soil and groundwater dynamics.

What residents can expect

The desk is conceived as a first-stop advisory service. It will not replace inspectors or contractors, but it will help residents navigate what to do next. Examples of support include:

• Initial assessment of climate-related damage patterns such as damp, flooding, or settlement.
• Guidance on documenting issues and identifying appropriate diagnostic steps.
• Information about risks to wooden and mixed foundations under drought and heavy rainfall scenarios.
• Referrals to qualified professionals for inspections and repairs.
• Advice on preventive measures, such as backflow valves, rainproofing, green roofs, rain gardens, and small-scale water retention.
• Signposting to available municipal programs and general information on insurance considerations.

By consolidating knowledge and referrals, the desk aims to shorten the time between noticing a problem and taking effective action, potentially reducing repair costs and future risks.

Anchored in Arnhem’s adaptation strategy

The expansion aligns with Arnhem’s Climate Adaptation Strategy 2020–2030, which sets out how the city intends to become more resilient to heat, drought, and flooding. The strategy is organized across nine themes, pairing physical measures—such as nature-based water storage and heat-mitigating green spaces—with education and community involvement. The new desk translates this citywide ambition to a household scale, giving residents a practical entry point to climate resilience.

Opening and access

The climate damage service desk opens on 1 December. It will function mainly as a digital helpdesk, with a monthly visiting hour for those who prefer face-to-face consultation. Further details on how to access the service and the schedule for in-person hours will be provided by the municipality.

A model others may follow

With weather extremes intensifying, local governments across the Netherlands are moving from planning to hands-on support. Arnhem’s approach signals a pragmatic shift: pairing long-term adaptation plans with day-to-day help for residents who are already dealing with the consequences of a warming climate. If successful, the model could be replicated elsewhere, accelerating learning and giving communities a practical toolkit to protect homes as the climate continues to change.