Brussels to reduce emergency asylum housing by 1,000 places

Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the Minister for Asylum and Migration, has finalized a plan to reduce emergency housing capacity in Brussels by 1,000 places by September 1. This reduction is part of the ‘Brussels Deal,’ an initiative launched in late 2022 with an annual budget of 42 million euros to supplement the Fedasil network for asylum seekers.

The minister justifies the cuts by stating that demand has decreased to approximately 1,000 single men, many of whom can find accommodation with friends or family. She argued that maintaining 2,000 funded places would be an inefficient use of public funds given the shorter waiting lists.

However, humanitarian organizations and civil society groups are warning of a potential humanitarian crisis. Samusocial reported that the system was already overwhelmed in July, noting that a high percentage of families seeking shelter were denied access. Advocates warn that these cuts could force vulnerable individuals and families into metro stations, parks, and tent camps, particularly as winter approaches.