Accomodation facilities

The Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees has signed conventions with several accommodation facilities for people who are homeless or threatened by social exclusion.

Accommodation facilities for adults

For vulnerable people who require support before being able to live independently, accommodation facilities offer various forms of housing such as shelters, single rooms, living communities or studios. This diversity of housing facilities allows to respond appropriately to the needs of different users.

These facilities operate day and night and can accommodate both single people and families. They provide relief for people who are homeless or at risk of social exclusion, whether it is due to financial problems, over-indebtedness, loss of employment, relationship problems, violence or health problems.

The degree to which assistance is provided varies between facilities and is dependent on the beneficiaries’ needs – the types of assistance range from permanent presence of staff members at all times to sporadic support when needed. Social follow-up work for residents can also be carried out by external associations (partners). The duration of accommodation depends on how much time beneficiaries need in order to reach a sufficiently high level of autonomy that would allow them to be reintegrated into society with or without social support work.

The Ministry conventions a number of accommodation facilities for adults. These facilities offer more than 1.000 homes or places:

Housing First

The Housing First concept aims to provide long-term or even permanent accommodation for people who have experienced long-term homelessness. These are particularly marginalised people for whom traditional means of assistance are not suitable. Housing First is aimed at single homeless people, houseless or long-term ill-housed, with severe psychopathological and/or addiction problems (stabilised or not).

Housing is a priority and is considered a fundamental right. The concept is based on the fact that, before any other problems are to be addressed, a homeless person needs housing first and foremost and that other issues can be addresses at a later stage. Thus, supporting the stability and reintegration of the person is secondary. While services are offered to the person, these are not imposed. The person can choose the modalities of the support and is not subject to time constraints.

By means of a "home", the user can stabilise his/her individual situation, increase his/her own quality of life and foster his/her communal- and social integration. The approach is focused on risk reduction and the support is oriented towards recovery.

Currently, the Ministry has signed conventions with the following services::

Organisation

Ministry of Family Affaires, Integration and the Greater Region