Brussels shelter funding cut by Belgian federal government

Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration, has suspended federal funding for 1,000 shelter places in Brussels, shifting responsibility for general homeless assistance to regional authorities. The decision marks an end to the ‘Brussels Deal’ of 2022, which provided 42 million euros annually to address asylum seeker shortages.

Van Bossuyt stated that the federal government's obligation is strictly limited to providing aid to those with a legal right to asylum. She noted that the federal government is collaborating with Brussels authorities to better orient specific groups toward appropriate support or, where possible, facilitate a ‘sustainable return’ to their countries of origin.

Civil society organizations, including Samusocial and BelRefugees, held a demonstration in Brussels to protest the cuts, which represent approximately one-quarter of the city's available shelter capacity. Advocates warned that the reduction could leave hundreds of families and children without housing, noting that Samusocial recently had to refuse accommodation for 244 out of 299 families seeking help.