Bruges (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The WZC Minnewater night shelter in Bruges, led by councillor Karel Scherpereel, currently supports 14 homeless individuals, but can host 30 this winter, highlighting urgent needs for funding and staffing.
The night shelter at the old WZC Minnewater in Bruges helps 14 homeless people by giving them a bed, a shower, and breakfast every morning. It’s an important place for those who need a safe spot to sleep and clean up. Karel Scherpereel, a local councillor and volunteer at the shelter, says that this shelter is very important for the community.
Can Bruges meet the growing need for homeless shelter beds?
The shelter doesn’t have enough space for all the people who need it. Scherpereel points out that many people have to sleep on the streets every night because there aren’t enough beds. This shows that there is a big problem with homelessness in Bruges. The city needs to do more to help the growing number of homeless people, as the current services aren’t enough to support everyone who needs it.
A local councillor mentions that the shelter at the old WZC Minnewater in Bruges can accommodate 26 people during winter, but right now, only 14 beds are being used. This means there’s extra space, yet many people are still sleeping outside. The councillor believes this is a missed opportunity to help those in need since there’s a high demand for shelter. He notes that there are enough volunteers willing to assist, but the main issue is funding because more staff is needed to run the shelter effectively. He feels let down that Bruges, a city known for its kindness, isn’t doing enough to support those who are struggling. The councillor is calling for more action to make full use of the shelter to help the homeless.
There is a rise in the number of homeless people now, with the usual decrease after winter not happening this summer. Some are moving to Bruges from other cities, and many refugees can’t find homes, so they rely on shelters. The city is working with groups like Mintus and Vivendo to create more temporary housing. This winter, the night shelter at Huize Minnewater will have 30 beds, but it’s challenging to achieve that because more staff needs to be hired. Extra support has come from the Province of West Flanders, and the winter shelter will open on November 1, which is two weeks earlier than last year.
