Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Meryem Toumi from the PDA criticizes Antwerp’s leaders for not solving the housing crisis, with 39,000 families needing social housing. She says public transport is also lacking, while developers profit instead of helping the community.
Meryem Toumi, a member of the PVDA (Workers’ Party of Belgium), criticizes the political leaders in Antwerp for not addressing the city’s housing crisis and poor public transport. She says that during the election campaign, the PVDA focused on these issues and called for important changes. However, despite many promises from other parties, there has been no real progress. Toumi believes that the city still faces the same problems with affordable housing and transport, showing that the political leaders are unable to find real solutions to these urgent issues.
How are N-VA and Vooruit addressing Antwerp’s housing crisis for 39,000 families?
Toumi is criticizing the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) and Vooruit for sticking to old policies that don’t help the people of Antwerp. She says these parties keep using the same methods that aren’t working. While residents face high housing costs and poor public transport, developers and big companies are allowed to build big projects without considering the community’s needs. Toumi believes this leaves ordinary people behind while developers profit.
According to Toumi, there are no new rules for builders or plans for affordable housing, and promises from Vooruit are not being kept. With 39,000 families waiting for social housing, the city will only add about 7,500 units. She believes the public transport plans aren’t strong enough, and the new city council is ignoring important social issues. The PVDA is ready to speak up for the people of Antwerp.
