One of the questions we get asked a lot is: how do you two actually live together? The answer isn’t entirely standard, so we thought it would be good to explain it here.
How it started
We live together in an apartment within a housing facility run by ASVZ in Breda. Bregje already lived here, at the time in a smaller apartment on the same site. At some point she expressed the wish to live together with Dennis. That sounds simple enough, but in practice there were quite a few complications, simply because Dennis himself doesn’t “qualify” for care, as it’s called within the healthcare system. He has no care indication and no care need, which makes it far from straightforward to just move into a care facility.
At the same time, it didn’t feel right to us to have Bregje move out of the facility altogether in one go. That would have been a big step, not one you take lightly.
The solution: a zero declaration
The solution came when a larger apartment became available on the same site, suitable for two people. After quite a bit of research, we found out it would be possible for Dennis to move in too, provided a so-called “zero declaration” (nulverklaring) was requested. We were able to arrange that through ASVZ itself. This declaration allows Dennis, as a partner without a care indication, to live within the facility.
Living together in practice
About 2.5 years ago, in 2024, Dennis moved from his parents’ home in Rotterdam to live with Bregje in Breda. Since then we’ve lived together, and Bregje can still receive the care she needs. Support staff are present 24/7 in this apartment complex.
Dennis himself doesn’t receive any care, and isn’t entitled to it either. That can sometimes make for a fairly unique situation, including for support staff. Not everyone is used to a partner who lives there but has no care need of their own.
Since then we’ve lived together, and Bregje can still receive the care she needs.
What about rent?
A question that comes up often too: how does this work with rent? Dennis doesn’t pay rent himself, but does pay his own contribution under the Wlz (Wet langdurige zorg, the Dutch long-term care act), the same as anyone with a care indication would pay for this type of housing. This Wlz contribution is “all-inclusive”: rent, water, gas and electricity are all included. The amount depends on income, and is certainly not cheap, in case you were thinking otherwise.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, we hope that once Bregje is ready, we’ll be able to live outside the facility as well, perhaps with a bit of home support (OT, ondersteuning thuis) where needed. Until then, we’re happy to share what our situation looks like right now.
Dennis & Bregje
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