Brussels homeless policy now in force year-round
Due to the success of this winter’s homeless policy, the Brussels region has decided to provide extended shelter all year round
Housing First programme introduced
This year’s winter shelter opened on 14 November with 10% more capacity, remains open until the end of March and took in 3,300 homeless people, operating at almost full capacity throughout. “By increasing the winter shelter capacity by 10%, not a single homeless person was forced to spend the night on the street,” Smet said.
Under the new system, the former offices of Leefmilieu Brussel in Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe will be converted into accommodation offering 150 places for families with children. At the same time, 110 places will be available at Samu Social in Vestje, close to Anderlechtsepoort on the inner ring, and 48 places will be provided by non-profits Ariane and Hoeksteen.
Fremault, Brussels minister of housing policy, also announced the introduction of Housing First, which both ministers saw in action last week in London and The Hague. The aim of that programme, which originated in the US, is to provide sustainable housing for homeless people without conditions such as alcohol or drug rehabilitation, but with strong support for those who want it.
This year, Fremault said, 47 people will be taken off the streets under the new system, which will be evaluated in 2016 before proceeding further. For the first part of the programme this year, a budget of €440,000 has been approved.
In addition to the provision of housing and shelter accommodation, the new system will also involve compiling a database of all homeless people in the region to assist in providing targeted and personalised support services. “Emergency accommodation alone, without the prospect of a change in their situation, is useless,” the two ministers said in a joint statement.
Photo: A worker prepares a space for the homeless in Brussels
©Kristof Van Accom/BELGA
