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Politicians face off on homelessness in Brussels
The growing issue of homelessness in Brussels is becoming more political by the day as the country’s politicians exchange barbs on how to solve the problem and on whom to place the blame.
Reports show than an average of 150 to 250 homeless people are forced into the cold each night to sleep on the streets of Brussels. The problem stems from a lack of shelters in city needed to house those in need, especially during the winter as temperatures hover around the freezing mark.
However, despite calls from the Federal Secretary of State in charge of the fight against poverty, Maggie De Block, urging Brussels to take action, another politician is shifting blame elsewhere. Brussels Regional Minister Brigitte Grouwels says that illegal immigrants are taking the beds reserved for the homeless.
Brussels currently provides 350 winter beds for the homeless, a service financed by the federal government. With the help of an additional one million euros from the Brussels-Capital-Region, another 300 beds are being offered by the non-profit organisation Samu Social. However, the organisation says it needs more help to reach the target of 400 beds set by local authorities.
Comments
This is preposterous. Politicians oughtn’t to meddle here (let them try homelessness first!). There are enough rich people and resources in this country to build/organise decent centres for the homeless at the worst of times. – Why doesn’t the EU do something anyway ...?? De Block and Grouwels kindly note : 'Illegal immigrants' get distressed, cold and hungry too... Hadn't you heard?
@ acsonline: If you had read the article you would have seen that De Block was calling for action on this, not "meddling" or accusing the illegal immigrants of anything.
Just as well, R. Harris, just as well. A week being a long time in politics, let's hope all that positive attitude bears fruit...
Why do we have to pay for illegal immigrants first of all, all they do is beg and get drunk and pee in every corner! Most immigrants have their own people here to ask how to find work even domestic jobs but....whatever! A lot of people I know was helped by their own to find jobs and not become homeless! I believe if there's a will, there's a way coz I helped a lot no matter what nationality when there's work I can give!