The Brussels government refuses the N-VA’s request for an inquiry committee to investigate abuses of rent allowances

The Brussels N-VA, together with the CD&V and MR parties, among others, is requesting a parliamentary inquiry committee to uncover possible abuses in the Brussels Housing Administration and the payment of rent allowances. The Brussels majority is ignoring this request. “It seems that people would prefer to keep this issue covered up,” says Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre. “However, it is crucial that the functioning of the administration is thoroughly analysed. A normal audit will not suffice.”

Two different administrations are used for the payment of rent allowances: the regional housing company (BGHM) and the Brussels Housing Administration. However, these services do not work together. What’s more, they work against each other and the policy structurally, so that State Secretary Hamou was forced to call in the consultant Deloitte. Vanden Borre continues: “I have therefore submitted a request to the cabinet for public access to administrative documents. Among other things, I want clarity about the EUR 700,000 that the consultancy firm Deloitte received to set up the payment of the rent allowances. However, the State Secretary has so far refused to cooperate and provide the documents.”

Major dysfunction

“There appears to be major dysfunction at the Brussels Housing Administration. However, an internal audit, as proposed by the Secretary of State, is not enough to clarify this. The prospective tenants for social housing are entitled to absolute transparency. Precisely for that reason, the N-VA wants an inquiry committee to conduct an in-depth investigation into the administration and management within the Brussels Housing Administration and, more specifically, into the role of the management in this. In this way, the inquiry committee can also formulate recommendations for resolving the dysfunctions that have been identified. But the majority apparently prefers to keep this issue covered up,” Mathias Vanden Borre concludes.