Temporary housing occupations are becoming an increasingly important source of emergency shelter in Brussels as official services struggle to accommodate people without homes. Several groups have taken over unused buildings and transformed them into temporary living spaces for people who cannot find places in traditional shelters. One example is La Clef, a building in the Forest area where volunteers have created small sleeping spaces using basic materials such as wooden pallets, insulation and bedsheets. The people running the project say they are responding to a growing need among residents who have nowhere else to go.
The organisation began by occupying empty buildings and seeking agreements with property owners. Over time, its work shifted towards providing emergency accommodation after members encountered more people sleeping outdoors or moving between temporary places. Some residents arrive after being evicted, while others have been unable to find space in established services such as Samusocial. People may remain for several days or several weeks, depending on their situation and the availability of other housing options. Volunteers try to help residents move towards more stable arrangements, although the group itself often has to turn people away because its limited space is full.
The scale of homelessness in Brussels highlights the pressure on both official and community-based support systems. The organisation Bruss’help counted nearly 10,000 homeless people in the capital during its latest major count in 2024. Almost 1,000 people were found sleeping outside without shelter on the night of the count. Temporary occupations provided accommodation for around 15 percent of those counted, including hundreds of minors. These figures show that informal housing projects have become an important part of the city’s response to homelessness.
However, housing experts say emergency beds alone cannot solve the wider problem. Brussels continues to face a shortage of affordable homes, leaving people with few opportunities to move out of temporary accommodation. A study by local universities estimated that thousands of buildings in the capital were empty, while many residents remained unable to secure suitable housing. The situation has created a difficult contrast between unused property and people living without stable shelter. Community groups say they will continue providing support, but they also want stronger public action to expand affordable housing and improve access to long-term accommodation.
