More space in shelters as temperatures drop

Brussels homeless shelters are officially full, but some extra spaces within some of them have been prepared with beds and other facilities to take in more people this week. Temperatures are expected to hit -2°C tonight, while tomorrow’s high is 1°C, with snow being forecast.

More space has been made in the Samusocial shelters, according to Mathias Dobbels of the public works ministry. “We created extra space in the existing shelters by Wednesday night to ensure that no one will be turned away,” he told Bruzz.

The 300 capacity in the Red Cross’s shelter in Haren has long been reached, as have the 980 spaces in Samusocial centres. But spaces in the Samusocial centres used for other purposes have been converted to be able to house people temporarily.

And a new permanent shelter is opening up on Rue de la Caserne in the city centre today, though Dobbels could not confirm how many beds would be available there.

The freezing temperatures are expected to continue for a few days more.

Photo: Jasper Jacobs/BELGA