Brussels Court Orders Urgent Housing Sites for 60 Traveller Caravans

Brussels, 27 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A Brussels court ruling has ordered the Brussels-Capital Region to provide properly equipped accommodation sites for travelling communities, including Roma families, following years of inadequate facilities. The judgment, delivered on 15 October, requires the regional government to make space available for at least 60 caravans within six months, with financial penalties for non-compliance.

The decision places new legal pressure on Brussels authorities to address the shortage of designated stopping places and ensure travelling families have access to essential services, including water, electricity and sanitation.

Brussels Court Demands Urgent Action on Traveller Housing

The French-speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels ordered the regional government to provide one or more accessible sites capable of accommodating at least 60 caravans.

The facilities must include running water, electricity, waste collection and arrangements for wastewater disposal.

The six-month period begins when the judgment is formally served, rather than automatically from the date it was delivered.

Regional authorities must also introduce implementing regulations under Article 191 of the Brussels Housing Code within 12 months.

These regulations must establish minimum requirements for safety, hygiene and essential infrastructure at publicly provided accommodation sites.

According to Belgian broadcaster BRUZZ, the region faces potential financial penalties of €10,000 per month for non-compliance, capped at €500,000.

Brussels Housing Officials Examine Legal Decision

Brussels Secretary of State for Housing Karine Lalieux is examining the judgment before deciding whether the regional government should appeal.

Her office confirmed on 26 October that officials were assessing the necessary changes to regional housing regulations.

Lalieux is coordinating with Audrey Henry, the Brussels Secretary of State responsible for spatial planning, whose portfolio includes identifying suitable land.

The authorities have not publicly confirmed the location of any proposed accommodation site.

Traveller Rights Group Welcomes Court Victory

The legal proceedings were initiated in December 2024 by the National Committee of Travellers.

Belgium’s equality body, Unia, joined the civil proceedings in February 2025.

Étienne Charpentier, spokesperson for the committee, welcomed the decision in comments reported by Belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique.

He described the outcome as an important victory following years of requests for suitable stopping places, particularly during winter.

The organisation considers the judgment an important step towards securing appropriate accommodation for travelling communities.

Brussels Traveller Accommodation Shortage Dates Back to 2018

Brussels previously operated a public transit site in Haren, but it closed to temporary caravan residents in June 2018.

Since then, authorities have struggled to establish a lasting alternative for travelling communities.

In 2018, the regional government allocated €1.5 million to encourage municipalities to develop accommodation facilities.

However, according to Belgian media reports, no municipality accepted the regional invitation to establish the proposed sites.

The continuing shortage eventually prompted legal proceedings against the Brussels-Capital Region.

Court Decision Highlights Housing Rights and Equality

The judgment has implications for travelling families who require temporary accommodation with access to basic public services.

It also raises questions about how regional and municipal authorities coordinate land allocation, housing standards and infrastructure provision.

The case highlights the difficulties faced by communities whose mobile lifestyles are not adequately accommodated by conventional housing policies.

For Brussels officials, implementing the decision will require cooperation between housing and spatial planning authorities.

What Happens Next for Brussels Authorities?

The regional government must determine whether to appeal while examining how to comply with the court’s requirements.

Authorities face separate obligations to provide accommodation within six months of formal notification and introduce the necessary housing regulations within 12 months.

The Brussels court ruling establishes specific responsibilities, but suitable sites have not yet been publicly identified.

The next developments will depend on the government’s legal response and its ability to secure appropriately equipped land for travelling communities.