Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper): André Raus, a resident, raised concerns about unsanitary conditions in his building’s basement due to homeless individuals gathering there. Mayor Steven Vandeput announced measures to improve safety, including locking public toilets at night and closing stairwell corners to prevent sleeping.
André Raus, a resident living above the garages, has raised concerns about the basement of his building. He says that during the winter, some people gather there near the supermarket because it’s warm. They often sit on the bench, but this has created problems. These individuals not only eat in the basement but also engage in unsanitary behavior, making the area unpleasant for other residents.
How are Hasselt residents addressing sanitation issues in basements?
Despite having a separate entrance for their parking spaces, residents like André have noticed that people still manage to get inside. One neighbor found a bottle of urine, and André himself discovered human feces in front of their private entrance. This situation has raised concerns among the residents, in their private residential areas it affects their cleanliness and security.
It has been said that André hopes the problems will be solved soon, saying, “We don’t want this dirt and trouble. This is supposed to be a nice neighborhood.” Matexi, the project developer, has been complaining about homeless people causing issues in the parking lot, especially the mess left in the mornings. The city has recently banned alcohol in the streets around Quartier Bleu and limited garage access. Mayor Steven Vandeput stated that they are working on improving safety by connecting the garage to the private areas and installing cameras.
According to Mayor Vandeput, corners of the stairwells are being closed to prevent people from sleeping there. The public toilets in the parking lot are now locked at night to stop homeless people from using them as a place to sleep. The mayor explained that if the toilets stay open, people will sleep there. The city’s homeless shelter in Hasselt will reopen soon, and residents need to behave properly. Street workers and nurses will be available to help those in need and guide them toward a better life.
