Here we are: 21 December, the first day of winter. It's cold, people are still sleeping rough. And every winter, it's the same story: the time has come for thermometer politics.
Wallonia has activated its extreme cold weather plan, running from November to the end of March, but this has not solved the problem of homelessness, leaving many people still sleeping rough. In Brussels, they are keeping an eye on the thermometer to launch services that risk saturation. These plans are only temporary measures. You'd think misery would be less of a problem in the sunshine.
A situation that keeps getting worse
We need to move away from these short-term policies and commit to long-term solutions. While Belgium has signed up to the Lisbon Declaration, which calls for an end to homelessness by 2030, the number of people living in poor housing and on the streets continues to soar. Homelessness is far from being an isolated and temporary problem. Recently, a European Commissioner for Housing was appointed for the first time in the Commission's history, given the alarming scale of the problem throughout Europe. He plans to draw up a plan for affordable housing in Europe, but we need to act quickly and effectively. The problem is growing rapidly.
The latest count in Brussels sets the tone: Bruss'Help estimates that there are 10,000 homeless and inadequately housed people in the capital. This staggering estimate represents an increase of 40% compared to 2020, when 7,134 people were counted.

Moreover, there is great concern about this increase, given that the number of people living in precarious conditions is growing at the same rate. At present, nearly 30% of Brussels residents live below the poverty line, at a time when rents are soaring and public housing is in short supply. Thousands of people and families can no longer access decent housing. These figures should be a wake-up call, and we need to raise global awareness.
The situation is alarming, even though the rehousing and support solutions offered by Housing First policies are proving their worth, as shown by the more than 2,200 people rehoused in Belgium. The lack of housing and support from the public authorities can jeopardise these projects. The solutions offered by Housing First cannot be reduced to nothing.
Short-term investments, insufficient long-term solutions
Efforts have been made during the last parliamentary term, notably with the reinforcement of emergency accommodation, the introduction of a winter moratorium on evictions from homes, the reinforcement of support services such as Housing First, etc. However, these efforts remain insufficient to meet the needs of the homeless. However, these efforts are still not enough to curb the problem, not least because of the lack of structural solutions to get people off the streets.
We need to move away from short-termist policies. We have to stop believing that emergency solutions are going to stop homelessness, especially with precariousness gaining ground every day. These solutions are not even enough to deal with the reality on the ground.
We need to wake up all year round to get people off the streets for good. So that, whatever the season, everyone can have a home. The solution lies in a comprehensive plan that includes housing, long-term support, preventive measures and emergency measures. Access to affordable housing needs to be reviewed and facilitated.
It's time to put European and regional commitments into practice with a concrete and ambitious plan
We call on the next government to take concrete action by adopting a plan to prevent and combat homelessness that focuses on the long term and sustainable solutions. The aim is to provide enhanced psychological, social and administrative support to help people get off the streets and out of precarious situations in the long term. The Brussels Government must also guarantee access to affordable housing by supporting, financing and creating public housing, while taking action on housing in general by combating empty homes and regulating rents in particular.
Winter and its cold nights are just one aspect of a year-round problem that we need to tackle in every season. If we are to put an end to homelessness by 2030, it's time to heal the gaping wound and put an end to the ‘sticking plasters’ policy.
Learn more about the issue of extreme cold
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