Covída english version

Introduction

In 2019, Ferdy and Ingrid Benoist from Oosterhout in the Netherlands founded the Covída Foundation. The reason was their search for a suitable place for their son Luc to live when he will be an adult. A living environment that is close by, homely and connected to society proved difficult to find. With this in mind, they decided to take matters into their own hands and start a parent initiative themselves. Covída has since grown into a committed group of parents working together to realize this dream. Covída’s strength lies in shared control: parents contribute ideas, participate in decisions and jointly take responsibility for a future-proof living environment for their children.

Covída aims to offer a residential and care concept for 16 people with an intellectual disability, in which the needs of the residents are central. Personal attention, connection and self-determination are important guiding principles. Connection among residents, with family and their networks, and with society. Togetherness, well-being and the flourishing of every resident come first. This creates a warm, homely living environment in which residents feel at home, are part of a community and can live as independently as possible.

What "Covída" means?

The foundation’s name is derived from a combination of “Co” and the Spanish word “Vida”. “Co” stands for “together” and “Vida” for “life”. The name Covída and our most important core value, “Connection”, suit us completely.

Organisation Covída

We have chosen a foundation as the legal entity, intended to achieve a public, social or idealistic objective. With a foundation as the legal entity, rights and obligations, assets and debts, tax aspects and continuity are arranged.

The aim is to form a five-member board with at least two external members and one initiator. A majority of the board members will be parents of residents. Board members are actively involved and unpaid. The board currently consists of four members: three parents, including the two initiators, and one external volunteer. There is a vacancy for a general board member with responsibility for care.

Board members

Ferdy Benoist

Chairman

Parent Luc

Marloes van Peer

external board member

teacher Curio

Oscar Janssen

Treasurer

Parent Casper

Ingrid Benoist

Secretary

Parent Luc

Since August 2023, the foundation has had a Supervisory Board: Soeraya Thoen, Marcel Willemsen and Anton van Opzeeland. The Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors work together in accordance with the Healthcare Governance Code. The Supervisory Board oversees the foundation’s financial health and risk management, the implementation of its strategy and whether stakeholders’ interests are sufficiently safeguarded.

Parents of prospective residents are actively involved in developing the initiative. The board has established three committees: Housing, Care & Well-being, and PR & Sponsorship. A board member is active on each committee.

We have chosen a structure in which the participation of residents and their families is safeguarded through a clear consultation structure and the establishment of a participation council. The chair of the council is elected by the residents and their families themselves.

A pleasant living environment is very important for creating connections. Covída therefore has a code of conduct and a complaints procedure. It has also appointed an external confidential adviser for its residents, their representatives and its employees. The confidential adviser plays an important role in policy and in dealing with any undesirable behaviour and boundary violations.

Our residents and their care

The parent initiative provides a protected living environment with care for 16 people with an intellectual disability. The size allows sufficient scope for variation in levels of intellectual ability within the group of residents. We believe that connections between these residents ensure that all residents develop; after all, every person has specific qualities. We aim for the group to grow old together.

We strive for a good match between residents. We assess whether we can provide an appropriate response to the resident’s support needs. In the resident profile, we have described the target group of our parent initiative. We are looking for residents who fall within care profiles VG4 – VG6 as used by the Long-term Care Act. (WLZ)

In our communication with interested parties, we are clear about how people can apply and how residents are selected:

Parents have an introductory meeting with the board;
Parents have a meeting with Covída to assess the care needs;
If those needs appear to be suitable for Covída, a recommendation is submitted to the board;
The board decides whether or not the prospective resident becomes a participant.

Covída does not provide treatment. If a resident has very specific needs arising from serious physical problems or behavioural problems, such as substance addiction, Covída cannot provide an appropriate response and living at Covída is not possible. This is screened for during the intake procedure. There are now 14 prospective residents participating in the parent initiative (October 2026).

Covída deliberately chooses a group-oriented form of housing in which residents form a community together. Residents are encouraged to participate in daily life according to their abilities, to meet one another and to shape their shared living arrangements together. A healthy balance is sought between self-determination and connection with the group. Living at Covída is not only about care, but above all about living together, participating, building meaningful relationships and mattering.

Covída will organise care for the residents itself. This means that Covída will act as an employer. A team of care professionals will be appointed over the next six months. They will provide care to the residents according to a weekly rota with varying staffing levels. An individual care plan will be drawn up for each resident. Covída also creates connections in the workplace. Together with residents, family, informal carers, local residents and care staff, a culture of connection is created. Care is provided with the aim of encouraging everyone’s development.

Project development

The Oosterhout housing association Thuisvester is the investor, developer and property investor for our parent initiative. Thuisvester’s motto, “an affordable home, for now and the future”, sums up what Thuisvester stands for.

Together with Thuisvester, the feasibility of the parent initiative was investigated. An important step in the process. In December 2022, Thuisvester and Covída signed the letter of intent.

The municipal executive of the municipality of Oosterhout has also agreed to cooperate with the project. The municipality of Oosterhout is selling the land to Thuisvester and will develop the public space around the project.

The location is in the Oosterheide district of Oosterhout. It is a neighbourhood dating from the 1960s. The location has several qualities that fit our vision: it is situated in the middle of a residential neighbourhood and within walking distance of woodland and the Zuiderhout shopping centre. The site on which the project is planned measures approximately 3000 m².

Project site Covída

In 2024, the required amendment to the zoning plan was approved by the municipal council. In August 2025, the zoning plan became irrevocable following the consideration of an objection by the Council of State. In February 2026, the municipality of Oosterhout granted the environmental permit. Housing association Thuisvester commissioned contractor Breda Bouw to carry out the construction. The contractor started construction in September 2026. Completion of the building is scheduled for June 2027.

The building design by Oomen Architecten focuses on group-oriented living and an open appearance towards the outside, across two floors. The building has 17 apartments and several communal spaces:

2 centrally located communal living rooms;
2 communal kitchens adjoining the living rooms;
Centrally located multifunctional room on the ground floor;
Utility room, laundry and drying room;
Office, sleeping room for overnight staff;
Main entrance, visitor toilet, staircase, lift, communal storage on the ground floor;
Communal garden, covered terrace, garden storage, roof terrace.

Each apartment is 45 m² in size and has a living room, bedroom, bathroom and a terrace / balcony.

Finances

Separation of housing and healthcare finances

The guiding principle in Covída’s operations is that housing and care are strictly separated. Residents pay the rent for their apartment directly to housing association Thuisvester from their Wajong benefit. They purchase care from Covída using their Personal Budget (PGB) under the Long-term Care Act (WLZ). Residents in a residential initiative receive a Residential Initiative Allowance through their PGB. Residents contribute this allowance so that Covída can use it to pay for the rent of communal spaces, additional care, home automation and safety facilities.

Covída rents the communal spaces in the building from Thuisvester. In addition, Covída incurs costs for maintaining the communal spaces, running the foundation and providing food for the residents. An amount is saved each year to replace inventory after depreciation. These costs are covered by asking residents to pay a “Covída Contribution”. Vacant apartments represent a risk of increased costs for the foundation.

Investment in the furnishing of common areas

When starting in the summer of 2027, Covída will need to furnish the communal spaces and the outdoor area. Residents will need to furnish their own apartments at their own expense. An investment budget has been drawn up for the purchase of two kitchens, the care call system, the Wi-Fi network, furniture, floor and wall coverings, soft furnishings and inventory. A budget of €350.000,- –€400.000,- has been allocated for this. The money will be raised through donations, fundraising and sponsorship campaigns.

Donating from outside the Netherlands

Support us with your donation

Stichting Covída is committed to providing a safe, loving living environment for people with intellectual disabilities.
In collaboration with parents, support staff, and volunteers, we are building a home where residents feel secure and are empowered to develop their talents.

Your donation helps us make this possible—from furnishing communal spaces to providing personalized care and activities.

By clicking “DONATE NOW” you will be sent to our Fundraiser on the website “WhyDonate“. WhyDonate is a European crowdfunding and donation platform, founded in Amsterdam in 2012. They help individuals and charities raise money for the causes they care about – with 0% platform fees, so more of every donation reaches its purpose.

ANBI Status – What does this mean for international donors?

Stichting Covída is a Dutch charitable foundation with ANBI status (Public Benefit Organisation), officially recognised by the Dutch Tax Administration. This status confirms that the foundation meets strict requirements regarding charitable objectives, transparency and financial accountability.

Benefits for international donors

Official Recognition

ANBI status demonstrates that Stichting Covída operates for the public benefit and complies with Dutch regulations for charitable organisations.

Tax benefits

Donations received by Stichting Covída are generally exempt from Dutch gift tax when used for its charitable objectives.

International donors may qualify for tax deductions depending on the tax legislation in their country of residence. ANBI status does not automatically guarantee tax benefits abroad.

Supporting a meaningful cause

Your donation helps Stichting Covída create a safe, welcoming and inclusive home for people with intellectual disabilities, where personal care, independence and community are central.