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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Brussels region threatens intervention at Anderlechtse Haard housing company

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Brussels Regional Housing Society (BGHM) may intervene at the Anderlechtse Haard social housing company if internal operations remain disrupted.
  • Brussels State Secretary for Housing Karine Lalieux stated that Anderlechtse Haard received two warnings in June and July regarding its operations.
  • Internal disputes over the chairmanship, with current chairman Lotfi Mostefa refusing to step aside, have prevented board meetings from reaching quorum.

The Brussels Regional Housing Society (BGHM) is poised to intervene in the operations of the Anderlechtse Haard social housing company if internal disruptions persist. Brussels State Secretary for Housing Karine Lalieux confirmed that the company received its first warning on June 18 and a second on July 1.

Lalieux, speaking before a parliamentary inquiry committee investigating mismanagement at the social housing company, highlighted ongoing divisions within Anderlechtse Haard's board. Current chairman Lotfi Mostefa, who has faced scrutiny from a "Pano" report, is refusing to temporarily step down as requested by board members from MR and Les Engagés. These parties have appointed vice-chair Marcela Gori as interim replacement, but recent board meetings have failed to achieve the necessary quorum.

Lalieux stated her priority is to "calm the situation, ensure the continuity of Anderlechtse Haard's management in the interest of the tenants, and enable the BGHM to exercise its supervisory responsibility." The BGHM has the authority to review the validity of the composition and functioning of management bodies. If a housing company fails to meet its obligations, the BGHM can intervene after issuing two registered mail warnings and receiving a response.

all my attention goes to calming the situation, ensuring the continuity of the management of Anderlechtse Haard in the interest of the tenants, and enabling the BGHM to exercise its responsibility in the framework of supervision.

— Karine LalieuxBrussels State Secretary for Housing Karine Lalieux stated her priorities regarding the situation at Anderlechtse Haard.

Furthermore, the BGHM is considering activating Article 78 of the Brussels Housing Code due to the instability at Anderlechtse Haard. This article allows the Brussels government to appoint a special commissioner to replace bodies that are not fulfilling their duties. The BGHM sent a letter to Anderlechtse Haard on July 1 regarding this potential action.

Lalieux also offered recommendations to the inquiry committee, including enhanced audit follow-up, developing more differentiated supervision tools, harmonizing housing company practices, and strengthening the role of social assistants in housing allocation. She emphasized these were personal recommendations, not an attempt to interfere with the parliament's work.

the bodies replace those that no longer fulfill their obligations as they should.

— Article 78 of the Brussels Housing CodeDescribing the powers granted to a special commissioner appointed under Article 78 of the Brussels Housing Code.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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