Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent has rescued almost 700 people from poverty but still faces challenges, with 31,000 people in poverty and 2,500 homeless. Alderman Astrid De Brucker highlights progress, but funding cuts could hinder support for vulnerable citizens.
As VRT News reported, Ghent is making some progress in helping people who are poor or homeless, but there are still problems to solve. For 7 years, the city has seen less poverty. Even with these improvements, about 31,000 people in Ghent are still dealing with poverty.
According to the officials, about 18% of the children in Ghent are born into families that don’t have much, although this number is also getting a little smaller. Homelessness is still a big issue, with nearly 2,500 people in the city not having a permanent home.
However, the city has been helping by finding permanent homes for 675 homeless individuals in the past year. The city is working closely with local groups and charities. These groups are dedicated to helping people and finding solutions.
Will Ghent’s efforts to combat poverty be affected by funding cuts?
To show how serious homelessness is, groups have put up tents in public places. Ghent has been doing better, but there are worries that money cuts might make things harder. Charities are afraid that less money could affect the good work they’re doing and make it harder for people who are already struggling.
“It is quite invisible work of the city services, but it is a lever to combat poverty,”
Says Alderman Astrid De Brucker (Voor Gent) after the presentation of the report.
The city of Ghent is expressing significant concern over a decision made by Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt to temporarily freeze €11 million in financial support. Officials mentioned that this funding is crucial for local governments, including Ghent, to aid individuals with minimum incomes in covering essential living expenses, such as housing, utilities, and other necessities.
The freeze could prevent the city from assisting the most vulnerable members of society, and there are worries that without this critical support, many individuals could face further hardship and increased poverty.
About 35,000 people in Ghent depend on the city for financial help and services. The city worries that more people will need help soon because of new national rules, like cutting unemployment benefits.
They mentioned that as more people struggle with money, they will ask the city for help, but the city won’t have enough money. Ghent’s deputy mayor says the city will have to pay for the help but won’t get extra money from the government.
