News

Faced with the worrying increase in figures, Brussels associations and businesses are calling for political commitment to combat homelessness.

Brussels, 18 June 2025.
9,777. That is the exact number of people currently living without stable accommodation in Brussels, an increase of 25% in just two years! These figures were revealed in the latest census published on 18 June by Bruss'Help. This is a reality that is becoming entrenched in the very heart of our capital city.

At Street Nurses, we know how essential access to drinking water and free public toilets is for people experiencing homelessness. In 2025, this remains a crucial challenge. That’s why we’re publishing an updated edition of our map of drinking water fountains and free public toilets.
 

This Sunday, Belgium celebrates Mother’s Day. In June, it will be Father’s Day. These moments, often filled with warmth and family gatherings, also highlight a harsh reality: thousands of children and young people are growing up without a stable home.

On Sunday May 25, 231 people ran the 20 km of Brussels wearing the colours of Street Nurses. It was a new participation record and a powerful expression of solidarity in motion.

A significant loss of income due to cuts in tax relief on donations...

To meet growing needs in the fight against extreme poverty, private fundraising has become essential for our organisations. Aware of the limited resources of public authorities, we have spent years building networks of individual donors to bridge the gap. These donations enable us to launch innovative social projects that receive little or no public funding, reinforce understaffed services, and upgrade our infrastructure to improve quality.

Nearly 50,000 people are currently homeless in Belgium. Behind this staggering number lie thousands of broken paths, suspended lives, families, men, women, and children living in extreme precariousness. In 2024, all three regions of the country updated their counts: the findings are alarming, and time is running out.

2024 will have been a year of learning, but in spite of ourselves: the life of our association is not always smooth sailing, and mistakes are a source of learning.

It is with deep sadness, but also with pride and affection, that we pay tribute today to our dear colleague, Dr Pierre Ryckmans. A devoted doctor, passionate humanist and indispensable force within the non-profit organisation Street Nurses, his passing leaves a great void, not only among us, his colleagues and friends, but also among the many homeless people for whom he worked tirelessly.

The idea that homeless people choose to live on the streets is deeply rooted in public opinion. However, this simplistic view hides a much more complex reality. At Street Nurses, we see the exact opposite every day: no one truly wants to live on the streets. Homelessness is a vicious cycle that is extremely difficult to break free from.

20 February is the International Day of Social Justice. It's a significant day, given the rise of extremism and anti-social policies around the world.

Building more social housing is often presented as the obvious solution to address homelessness. Yet this approach, while important, is not enough to solve the problem of homeless people.

At Street Nurses, we often notice that a refusal of help by homeless people is often misunderstood. One might perceive it as a lack of willingness to leave the street. But this refusal often hides much more complex reasons. As Pierre Ryckmans, the coordinating physician of our team, explains: "It’s not a rejection of the hand offered, but a response to difficult experiences or inadequate solutions." Understanding these refusals allows us to provide more appropriate and respectful support.