Belgium/Walloon Brabant: emergency accommodation scheme officially launched

Today, the Relais social officially launches the first Emergency Shelter (D.H.U.) for homeless and badly housed people. This pilot project, long awaited by citizens and public authorities, is being carried out in collaboration with the network's partners and more particularly three CPAS: Nivelles, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve and Wavre.

The system is made up of various accommodation facilities spread throughout the province. The aim is to provide a place where homeless people can settle down and take social steps towards reintegration.

As explained in the official press release, the province of Walloon Brabant has long been concerned about the lack of a night shelter on the territory. The setting up of the Relais social du Brabant wallon, has allowed to gather the services involved in the care of homeless people so that a solution can be proposed.

Operation

These shelters function according to common modalities: a centralized dispatching at the level of the Social Relay, free accommodation for 7 days and the possibility to stay longer in exchange for a financial compensation (with a maximum of 6 months). Throughout the stay, the Relais social teams, in collaboration with the field workers, accompany the persons in the realization of procedures. They also help to create links. This accompaniment is an inherent part of the project. The workers also connect the housed person to front-line services and to the various projects of the Relais social (Housing First, Capteur logement).

Current system

Currently, the DHU is composed of 5 housing units that can accommodate between 8 and 11 people. The CPAS of Nivelles offers a three-room apartment that can accommodate three isolated people. The Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve CPAS has two apartments, one with one bedroom (which can accommodate a couple) and another with two bedrooms (which can accommodate a family of four). The CPAS of Wavre has two containers that can accommodate two isolated people.

Permanent help

The project is not limited to the winter period, but all year round. It offers several sites and not just one night shelter, mainly because of the size of the territory. The actors of the network insist on the need to break the cycle of emergency, in order to move towards integration.

The solution proposed today will not yet be able to meet all the needs. In the long run, the Relais Social wishes to increase the number of places in order to cover a larger territory and to investigate also more rural communities.

Finally, it should be remembered that a first count of the number of homeless people was requested last year. "The first results should be known in a week, in principle," said Colette Delmotte, president of the Relais Social, also president of the CPAS of Nivelles.

Source: www.rtbf.be