570 homeless living in Brussels hotels as pandemic continues

Around 570 homeless people are being housed in different Brussels hotels as the coronavirus pandemic continues, according to Brussels health minister Alain Maron.

The establishments were requisitioned by the authorities at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. The capacity for homeless people in Brussels hotels will be maintained until at least 30 June 2021.

During the first wave of the pandemic, 950 beds were made available to those most in need in 12 hotels and hostels in Brussels. The initiative was set up in collaboration with the City of Brussels and the municipalities of Forest, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek, Etterbeek and Saint-Gilles. Currently, 570 beds are still available in hotels.

At the start of the Covid-19 crisis, €20 million had already been allocated for the reception and support of the homeless in Brussels. As part of the Brussels government's recovery plan, two amounts, of €2.5 million for 2020 and €5.75 million for 2021, have been set aside to quickly find solutions for homeless people and families who are housed in emergency facilities.