IANAE, but I'm guessing part of the problem is also that housing is not part of inflation (i.e. not in the indexation).

It is, but it is mixed in with housing that people do not want, such as due to location, size, quality, etc.

The US CPI figures have no resemblance to your expenses if you live in one of the desirable and booming regions of the US.

The Netherlands (where the article is about) is relatively small, so I'm wondering if the whole country has more or less the same "booming" factor (?)

How does housing affect inflation in that country?

I think EU citizens have the right to live anywhere in the EU, so while not exactly the same as the US due to language and cultural differences, it might still have a noticeable effect. But I am not well versed in the topic, so I would only be able to guess.