Homeless organisations protest against government cuts

Organisations involved with helping the homeless in Belgium have protested against federal cuts in front of the social integration ministry office this week.

Following a €65,000 cut in funding for the Cold Plan, which ramps up resources for the homeless during winter months, five empty camp beds were placed in front of the building to symbolise the five cities affected.

Christine Vanhessen, director of the federation of reception centres and assistance services for the homeless, said the subsidies were used to support the teams in the field.

“That sum amounts to the appointment of two social workers in Brussels and the possibility of offering several nights in the shelter during the winter,” Vanhessen said.

“Belgium had set itself the goal of ending homelessness by 2030. We will never achieve that.”

Philip De Buck, director of the day centre of the non-profit organisation ‘t Eilandje in Saint-Gilles, also expressed worries.

“Our centres are full, and we are expecting additional waves of people seeking shelter in November and December,” said De Buck.

“Our sector receives very little support. Few people seem to care about the poor any more. Fortunately, there are still volunteers and ordinary citizens who step in where aid organisations can no longer help.”

The demonstrators are demanding that the government reverse its decision to cut subsidies and that savings no longer be made at the expense of the poorest.

In addition to cutting subsidies for the cold weather plan, the federal government is also cancelling approximately €15.5 million per year in subsidies that were to be made available to CPAS (public social welfare centres).

The purpose of these subsidies was to integrate disadvantaged people into social life by enabling them to participate in culture, sport and new information and communication technologies, but social integration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) said that this was not a federal competence.

A transitional budget of €11.8 million is still planned for this year, compared to an average of €15.5 million in previous years. From 1 January next year, the subsidies will be completely reviewed.

“We understand that this is a difficult message, as the fund has for years supported the social, cultural and sporting participation of CPAS users,” reads a statement from the minister's office.

“The allocation of federal funds for matters that do not fall within our competence directly contributes to the increase in federal debt. Not only is this financially imprudent, it also prevents us from investing in areas for which the federal government is responsible.”

According to Van Bossuyt, entities may continue such initiatives at their level if they so wish.