Opening of Brussels homeless shelters delayed , but now started after all

The winter season has officially opened for the homeless in Brussels, following delays caused by the lack of official signatures.

The winter regime for the homeless should have started at the end of last week, but the necessary legal papers remained unsigned by the social aid agency CPAS of Brussels-City, and by SamuSocial, the non-profit which administers homeless shelters. The homeless regime in Brussels is governed by a convention between the two agencies and the Communal Community Committee. Between now and the end of March, 400 beds will be provided in a building on the Rue Royale owned by the CPAS. The Committee has approved €1.1 million for the provision of shelter. It also agreed €300,000 for the Winter 86.400 programme which provides psychological support for the homeless aimed at helping rehabilitate them in the long term.

As well as a bed for the night, Brussels' homeless will also find shelter for their dogs, 16 of which can be housed in containers at the Central Station provided by the Prince Laurent Foundation and the charity Hoeksteen.

Yvan Mayeur, who chairs both the CPAS and SamuSocial, denied there had been an unnecessary delay, arguing that the winter regime started two weeks ago with the re-housing of squatters from the Gesu convent, 140 of whom have been given beds. “We give priority to families with children, so there will be less room this year for the homeless of Brussels,” he said. “Every time someone from Gesu is re-housed, however, a place will become free for another homeless person.”

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