Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp is cutting funding for social organisations, including SAAMO’s “Living with Opportunities” project, which offers temporary housing to youth, and several CAW programs, affecting vulnerable residents and staff.
As VRT News reported, the city of Antwerp is making changes to its social budget, causing debate in the municipal council. Nathalie van Baren, N-VA alderman for Social Affairs, explained the plans after questions from opposition parties PDA, Groen, and CD&V. She said the city’s social services will not be cut. In fact, the budget will grow by €24 million each year.
“We are investing more in drug treatment and addressing homelessness, among other things,”
says Alderman Van Baren.
“In addition, additional staff have been hired to assist people with questions about the time limitation of unemployment benefits.”
What impact will Antwerp’s social budget cuts have on youth and staff?
Despite the overall increase, some smaller social projects will lose funding. The city says this is part of a plan to focus money on the most important programs. Essential services will continue, but certain targeted projects will have to be scaled back or closed.
One program affected is the housing support project for young people.
For example, SAAMO’s ” living with opportunities ” program will be discontinued. “The idea is for young people, between 16 and 25, to live in such a vacant apartment for a year and then move on to the private rental market,”
explains Ellen Van Doren of SAAMO.
“For some young people, the housing search becomes a nightmare. In the worst-case scenario, they end up on the streets.”
Ellen Van Doren, SAAMO
Officials mentioned that it has helped 26 young people find homes. With the funding cuts, these young people now have 6 months to find new housing. They said the situation is more urgent because more than 40 young people are on the waiting list. Currently, no alternative solutions exist for them.
Opposition parties warn the cuts could leave vulnerable youth without help. Van Baren said the changes are meant to manage the budget carefully and keep social services sustainable.
“For some, this will be a truly agonising search,”
says Van Doren.
“In the worst-case scenario, they’ll even end up on the streets.”
The City of Antwerp’s latest budget changes are affecting several social organisations. SAAMO is already feeling the impact, with 10 employees affected. A solution for these staff members is still being sought. At the same time, Antwerp’s CAW faces cuts of about 6% of its resources. These reductions could lead to 15 employees losing their jobs, though the exact number has not yet been confirmed.
Several important programs at the CAW are also at risk. The Roma coaches team, which connects Roma families with mainstream services, will see its funding reduced. The Budgetbuddy project, which helps clients improve their financial independence with volunteers, is also affected.
According to APSMO, the Antwerp Platform for Social Sector Organizations, these cuts strike at the core of social care in the city.
“It’s good that, for example, more shelters are being created for the homeless at KADANS, but by the time people end up there, it’s already too late,”
says Peter Raeymaeckers, chairman of APSMO.
“You have to invest in prevention and prevent people from ending up on the streets.”
Alderman Nathalie van Baren met with APSMO, but the organisation says it was not fully involved in the decision-making process.
“We applaud her for engaging with us, but what difference will it make?”
asks Raeymaeckers.
“The civil society has a great deal of expertise, but of course, you have to utilise it.”
Opposition parties PVDA, Groen, and CD&V have called the changes a “bloodbath” for social organisations, a warning echoed by council member Mari Preneel of Groen.
“‘Are these courageous and innovative choices?”
responded municipal council member Lise Vandecasteele (PDA) during the committee meeting.
Council member Mari Preneel (Green) agreed.
“These decisions are being made arbitrarily. Is it arbitrariness or cronyism?”
Pieter De Cock (CD&V) is still waiting for clarity.
“I’m mainly wondering what will happen to the remaining budget that hasn’t yet been allocated.”
Antwerp’s social policies have developed over many years and often caused debate in the city council. In 2014, the city set plans to protect social rights and support vulnerable residents. In 2022, Antwerp brought social organisations and city officials together at the Staten‑Generaal Lokaal Sociaal Beleid to discuss future social projects. Over the following years, the city expanded programs for housing, financial help, and community support. However, rising costs and changes in leadership created pressure on budgets.
