9.777 people were recorded as homeless in the Brussels-Capital Region in November 2024, according to Bruss’help
This data comes from Bruss’help’s eighth count, carried out through a large-scale collaboration across sectors and indicating a worsening trend of homelessness in Brussels. For the first time, data from reception centres for applicants for international protection were collected. Out of 5.135 individuals, 17 were required to leave their centre within 30 days without any housing solution, while 94 remained beyond their expected departure due to the lack of stable housing options.
Bruss’help has released the preliminary report of the 8th count of homeless individuals in the Brussels-Capital Region. The report outlines the results of a nighttime count conducted on 6 November 2024, which included individuals from seven categories: people living on the streets, people in emergency shelters, people in accommodation centers for homeless individuals, people leaving an institution, people living in unconventional housing (such as squats or temporary occupations), people temporarily housed with family or friends, and people facing imminent eviction. This count was made possible through collaboration between professionals and volunteers from the homeless support sector, along with a range of partners from related fields such as hospitals, public transport, Brussels Environment, municipal prevention services, local police, and Public Social Welfare Centers (CPAS).
The general findings indicate, among others, that the number of recorded individuals has increased from 1.724 in 2008 to 9.777 in 2024. Between 2022 and 2024, the most significant increase concerns emergency shelter (+59.13%, from 1.593 to 2.535 individuals), reflecting policymakers' growing reliance on emergency measures. During the same period, the number of people on the streets increased by 22.62% (from 809 to 992). Unconventional housing (squats, temporary occupations) remains highly represented, with an increase of 8.79%.
On the night of 6-7 November 2024, 5.134 individuals were housed by Fedasil (37.4%), the Red Cross (34.1%), and Samusocial (20.1%) in the Fedasil reception network and local reception initiatives in Brussels. For the first time, data from reception centers for applicants for international protection were collected based on two criteria: the number of individuals who were required to leave their institution within 30 days of the count without a housing solution (17 individuals recorded) and the number of individuals staying longer than expected due to a lack of stable housing solutions (94 individuals recorded).
Bruss'help concludes that the evolution of homelessness follows an upward trend. Emergency shelters and temporary housing have become the dominant categories, while accommodation centres remain stable, limited by their capacity.
For further details, please read the report attached below (In French or in Dutch).