Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- According to a report by BRUZZ, Currently, 1,600 recognized refugees are stuck in federal reception due to a shortage of housing in Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. So says Orbit, a non-profit organisation that works on superdiversity and migration. The association therefore puts fourteen proposals on the table.
The group of recognized refugees who are stuck in the shelter continues to grow, because the decisions are now coming faster, Orbit said in a press release. “There are solutions, but no one is moving,” said coordinator Didier Vanderslycke. “Betting on places of residence for recognized refugees makes reception places available.”
Orbit underlines that the start of a recognized refugee in society is hampered and delayed without a home, while the responsibilities are demanding. Status holders must, among other things, quickly learn the language, integrate, work and follow an education. “But that is not possible without a starter home and without a domicile,” according to the non-profit association. “By the way, it often prevents social services from being called upon. The lack of a specific housing policy for newcomers is therefore harmful to everyone.”
Fourteen proposals
Orbit wants the governments to take measures that can make a difference immediately, and is therefore putting fourteen proposals on the table. For example, recognized refugees must be guided in reception centres and local reception centres to make the transition to the (social) housing market and, after recognition, the transition period to the new place of residence must be extended. Homes of Local Reception Initiatives (LOI), which are now inhabited by recognized refugees, must then be used again for the reception of asylum seekers.
The non-profit organisation also wants empty assisted living apartments to become residential accommodation for recognized refugees. Municipalities must in turn be helped to provide housing for recognized refugees through financial incentives. Furthermore, the non-profit association also wants to promote the filling of available living spaces with private individuals and to invest in a plan to use second and third residences to tackle housing shortages, by providing compensation for owners who want to participate in it.
“The commitment and commitment of local and supra-local initiatives is there,” Orbit added. “The political will to make the housing of refugees a communal project, not yet. It is a matter of general interest to focus on that. Because newcomers cannot do without a starter home. Nobody can do without a home. Do we want these To tackle the issue in a planned and effective way, then more is needed than consultation in the margins.”
