Brussels homeless agency turns away 80% of families in July amid shelter cuts

Brussels' homeless organization Samusocial reported a critical shortage of shelter spaces in July, turning away more than 80% of families who sought assistance. The organization stated that 244 out of 299 families were denied accommodation, marking an 83.5% increase in rejections compared to June.

These families included a total of 238 children, with 65 being under two years old and 15 under six months. Samusocial highlighted that children constitute a quarter of all individuals within its network, emphasizing the severe impact on vulnerable populations.

The organization is protesting the federal government's recent decision to eliminate 1,000 emergency shelter spaces in Brussels. Samusocial and other aid groups, including BelRefugees, fear this reduction will exacerbate homelessness in the capital, potentially leading to the resurgence of tent encampments and associated health crises and social tensions.

In response, Samusocial, alongside several other Brussels-based homeless and refugee organizations and a trade union front, has called for a public demonstration on August 18. They urge the federal government to reconsider its decision to cut the much-needed shelter capacity.