Onder1Dak focuses on voluntary co-housing arrangements, whereby homeowners make a room or living space available in their own home to a recognised refugee. By making use of existing registration schemes for temporary or care housing, recognised refugees can be officially domiciled at the homeowner’s address. This ensures legal residence and access to administrative services.

According to the project organisers, co-housing arrangements can contribute positively to several aspects of integration, including learning Dutch, accessing education or employment, and building social networks. At the same time, the model is presented as mutually beneficial for the newcomer, the homeowner and the wider community.

Following its restart, the project will continue operations for at least one year, supported by a small team comprising a part-time coordinator and two project workers. The initiative will operate across Flanders, with dedicated contact points for different provinces, including East and West Flanders, Limburg, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp.

Homeowners interested in participating in the project can register their interest via this form. For further details, you can also read this news.