Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Ghent has 5 mobile housing units for the homeless, but no family accommodations for over 600 homeless children. Samen Solidair seeks a new site for a residential container by next Wednesday 27 November.
In Ghent, there are now 5 mobile housing units for the homeless, with 3 located at the Arsenal site for adults needing long-term shelter and 2 at the Meibloem site for young people in temporary emergency housing. However, there is no accommodation available for families with children, despite over 600 children in Ghent being homeless. Samen Solidair had plans to place a large residential container on the Fluvius site, but those plans have been canceled due to earlier construction start dates. They need to find a new suitable location by next Wednesday, requiring a semi-public space of 100 square meters for several years.
How is Ghent addressing homelessness with new housing units and support services?
According to Guillaume, not every place is good for new housing units; they need to be near homes and facilities. Soon, there will be 2 more units for single homeless people in Gentbrugge. When they move in, they can take time to adjust and get help with health and job issues. Samen Solidair and the street workers decide who can stay because there are more people in need of help than there are available spots.
Meibloem site in Brugse Poort has a project for young people with two mobile housing units: a tiny house and a container. Vzw Nestinvest picks people who can stay there. Community worker Pieter Vancauwenberghe says it’s for emergencies, with some staying for days and others for months. The goal is for them to find permanent homes quickly. The city of Ghent plans to build up to 100 housing units for the homeless, and the new board will decide about it.
