One in four convent squatters temporarily housed

About one-quarter of the squatters last week evicted from the Gesú convent in Saint-Josse in Brussels – some 50 people from a total of nearly 200 – are expected later this week to move into new temporary accommodation offered by the Brussels region, housing minister Christos Doulkeridis said.

The region's government has gathered together 12 houses, with the aid of the housing fund and housing organisations in Molenbeek, Watermael-Boisfort and Forest. Following the eviction, Saint-Josse mayor Emir Kir set up a crisis centre to handle rehousing of the squatters.

However Doulkeridis (pictured) stressed the measure is only temporary. “It is not possible to grant housing to the families from the Gesú convent to the detriment of the many families who are legally registered on the waiting list for social housing, some of whom have been waiting for several years for the public housing to which they are entitled,” he said.

While occupying the temporary accommodation, the families will also receive intensive support from social services, which they were unable to obtain while squatting.